Understanding Palliative Care
As Australia’s population ages, aged care services are increasingly supporting older people with palliative and end of life care needs.
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life, supporting comfort and wellbeing, and helping people live as well as possible throughout the course of a life limiting illness.
Palliative care is not limited to the last days of life. It can be provided alongside other treatments and supports, from the time needs are identified through to the end of life. High quality palliative care involves working in partnership with older people, families and carers to understand and respect individual preferences, values and goals of care.
Explore the ELDAC Care Model
Quality palliative and end-of-life care involves a range of interconnected practices, from advance care planning through to bereavement support. Explore each component of the ELDAC Care Model below.
Beyond the ELDAC Care Model
The ELDAC Care Model focuses on the key elements of quality palliative and end of life care. You can also learn more about the aged care reforms, standards and programs that help shape practice across aged care settings.
Page updated 7 September 2026
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