Primary Care - Manage Symptoms
X

Manage Symptoms

Management of the older person’s symptoms needs requires assessment of their palliative care needs. You can find out more about how to do this in the Assess Palliative Care Needs section of the Primary Care Toolkit.

The purpose of symptom management is to reduce distress and burden, with priority being given to maintaining dignity and comfort.

Symptoms are diverse and complex, and while this list provides common symptom management tools and information, it is non-exhaustive.

Anxiety
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for anxiety in palliative care.

 

Depression
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for depression in palliative care.

Appetite problems
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for appetite problems in palliative care.
 
Nutrition and palliative care
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation
This video conversation with Ms Melissa Scattergood provides information on the role of a dietitian, of nutrition, and the aim of nutritional management in palliative care and in terminal care.
 
Oral health
Marie Curie
This webpage provides an overview on common oral health issues in end-of-life care, how to identify them and provide appropriate care.

Constipation
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for constipation in palliative care.

Dyspnoea
CareSearch

This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting patient symptom management for breathlessness in palliative care.

 
Respiratory symptoms and managing secretions in end of life care
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation

This video with Dr Caitlin Sheehan provides a discussion of respiratory symptoms at the end of life.

Delirium
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for delirium in palliative care.
 
Delirium and depression
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation
This video presentation by Prof Meera Agar provides an overview of delirium and depression - two critical conditions that impact upon brain function in advanced illness.

Fatigue
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for fatigue in palliative care.

Nausea
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for nausea in palliative care.

 

Managing nausea and vomiting
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation
This video interview with Dr Bridget Johnson provides a discussion around the significant impact that nausea and vomiting can have on quality of life.

Pain
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for pain in palliative care.

 

Cancer guidelines wiki: Cancer pain management in adults clinical guidelines
Cancer Council Australia
This guideline provides brief point-of-care recommendations for screening, assessment and management of cancer-related pain in adults. It focuses on chronic pain rather than acute pain caused by cancer treatments or pain in cancer survivors (which is best addressed by referral to a specialist pain medicine physician).

 

Pain management
NSW Innovation for Clinical Innovation
This video with Dr Robyn Keall discusses the main causes, assessments, and treatment of pain.

Skin failure and pressure injuries
CareSearch
This webpage identifies common skin failures in end-of-life care, and how to recognise, assess and manage them.

Sleeping problems
CareSearch
This webpage describes the clinical evidence supporting symptom management for difficulty sleeping in palliative care.