Information and Resources

Discussion Starters

Palliative Care Australia

Discussion Starters provides guidance for people receiving palliative care to reflect on their values and preferences for end-of-life care. It supports individuals to prepare for and initiate these discussions with family, friends and healthcare providers.

Advance Care Planning Australia Resources

Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA)

Resources for family, friends and carers:

• Starting the conversation
• Conversation starters (522kb pdf)

Communication starters (187kb pdf)

CareSearch

This document provides a range of conversation starter examples on introducing advance care planning into the individual’s periphery for future discussion.

Health professional roles within primary care

CareSearch

This webpage provides information for individuals, families and carers on the role of different health professionals who may be involved in their care team.

The dying process

Palliative Care Australia

This leaflet asks the question: What does dying look like? What are the changes that happen and what should you do?

What is palliative care?

Palliative Care Australia

Palliative care is for anyone of any age, who has been diagnosed with a serious illness that cannot be cured. These brochures talk about what palliative care is, who it is for and how to source.

Advance care planning explained

Advance Care Planning Australia

This webpage provides information about advance care planning for individuals and family.

The advance care planning process

Advance Care Planning Australia

Advance care planning is a process, and this webpage steps through what to consider as a person receiving palliative care.

Life-prolonging treatments

Advance Care Planning Australia

Part of advance care planning involves considering the use of life-prolonging treatment. This webpage describes common life-prolonging treatments and their benefits and burdens.

Being a substitute decision-maker

Advance Care Planning Australia

This webpage provides information for potential substitute decision-makers, the responsibilities of the role and things to consider in agreeing to be a substitute decision-maker.

Learn more about pain management (599kb pdf)

Palliative Care Australia

A pamphlet on pain and pain management for people receiving palliative care and family members.

Anxiety and Depression

CareSearch

This webpage has resources on anxiety and depression for people receiving palliative care, families and carers.

Support for carers

CarerHelp

CarerHelp is a website that provides access to useful and trustworthy information, tools, articles and videos for carers of people who are approaching death. Resources support carers to understand what to expect, improve communication and acknowledge their contribution.

Considerations for a home death
Canadian Virtual Hospice

The purpose of this article is to outline some of the potential challenges and rewards that come with a home death. That way, both the person receiving palliative care and caregivers can have a better idea of what to expect.

Caring for your mob at the end of their life
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

A brochure of information about providing palliative care and end of life care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Discussion Starter: Working Out What’s Right For You
Palliative Care Australia

This discussion starter provides guidance for individuals to reflect on their values and preferences for end-of-life care. It supports individuals to prepare for and initiate these discussions with family, friends and healthcare providers.

Understanding grief
Palliative Care Australia

Everyone experiences grief in their own way. This resource provides information on the grieving process, how should you feel and for how long.

A practical guide to coping with bereavement (150kb pdf)
NSW Health South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

A fact sheet for family and friends providing information on coping with bereavement after the death of someone in hospital.

Bereavement support - Grief Australia
Grief Australia

A website providing information and educational resources for the wider community to improve grief and bereavement knowledge. Education programs offered include seminars, workshops, courses, conferences, webinars and customised training that meet the specific needs of organisations and agencies.

Grief before death — understanding anticipatory grief
healthdirect

A webpage providing information for family and carers about anticipatory grief, or grief occurring before the death of a person being cared for.