Palliative Care Support

We provide professional specialised respite and support for people with advanced illnesses and those who care for them.

Palliative care which assists the person with an advanced incurable illness to maintain as much independence and control as the progress of the illness will allow is provided through professional palliative care services in a variety of settings including at home to support patients who require such care, and their caregivers.

Yet care at home is often the responsibility of carers, family and friends, who are encouraged to be more involved in making decisions about the care provided than is usual in more conventional hospital inpatient settings. Specialist palliative care health professionals often work in partnership with carers, family and friends, assisting them to provide holistic care for the patient and providing psychosocial support to the Carer and family.

While you may already be aware of respite services, or are currently using support or nursing services for the person you care for, it is often you, as the Carer, who also needs support. We can provide support that meets your needs as the Carer…this may be other services, information, advocacy, or simply a short break, time to yourself for a few hours or a few days…we are flexible in that we try to meet your needs while supporting the person you care for.

While respectfully upholding the rights of the Carer, and the individual they care for to make day-to-day decisions, Commonwealth Carer Respite can provide:

• assistance and relief for the care giver (in-home respite care and support)
• Support and advice on what services are available
• Support and advice on equipment for care at home
• emotional support and guidance
• support and advice on practical help
• assistance with liaison services between home, hospital, and doctors
• support and advice on Counseling bereavement support for carers/family.

Furthermore, respect for individual's needs, personal values, beliefs, and cultural background is very important to us.

If you are a carer, and you or someone you care for and love has been diagnosed with a terminal illness please contact your local Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre to be informed of what is available or talk to an understanding and professional Support Facilitator to arrange respite care and support on 1800 059 059* Freecall (*except from mobiles).

You can also call us 24 hours a day for emergency respite on the 1800 059 059 number as well.

Carers of people with a terminal illness and their families

Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre provides support for carers of persons receiving palliative care specialist and general nursing care to clients in the final stages of their lives.

We support carers and their families through the provision of services that meets their needs and the person they are caring for. This may include our purchasing of a specialist nursing service, domestic or personal care and other relevant services in order to ensure the person the Carer cares for remains comfortable and with optimal quality of life. However, we also endeavour to ensure the services also meet the needs of the Carer.

Our service further encompasses support for carers and family members during this time through respite care to allow the Carer and family to take time out. For the Carer, this may be to take a break away for a day or two, or simply to stay in bed for a day to catch up on lost sleep while the person they care for is cared for. We are flexible in our ability to provide services that meet the needs of the Carer and the person they care for.

Counseling services are also available if carers and family require this service. Community support information about local and available services is available through the Commonwealth Carelink Centre for Carers of People with a terminal illness and their families.

How to contact us for information or services:

Contact your nearest Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 059 059* Freecall (*except from mobiles) on 1800 059 059*

How to contact us:
Contact your nearest Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 059 059* Freecall (*except from mobiles) on 1800 059 059*