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Palliative & Supportive Care


Lung Foundation Australia recognises Palliative and Supportive Care as a fundamental stage of care in living with Chronic Lung Diseases. Palliative and Supportive Care allows people with Lung Diseases to enhance their quality of life in a way that is meaningful to them. It also supports families and carers in their adjustments to some of the lifestyle changes they may have to face.

The Lung Foundation has developed the following definition for patients to understand the term ‘Supportive and Palliative Care’.

When you have an advanced and progressive lung disease with little or no prospect of cure it is the aim of supportive and palliative care to achieve the best possible quality of life for the individual patient, their caregivers and family by:

  • Living as actively as possible
  • Optimising function and comfort physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually
  • Minimising and actively managing symptoms and suffering (breathlessness, cough, fatigue, pain, anxiety, depression and other distressing symptoms).
  • Providing adequate knowledge and open communication for patients and carers to help them make timely and informed decisions
  • Specifically offers support to carers during the persons illness and subsequently
  • Focuses on quality of life and continues to support people, may death become inevitable.

The Lung Foundation supports a number of Palliative and Supportive Care focused organisations whom have produced a range of helpful and informative resources. Please click the link below to view available resources for health professionals, patients and carers.

Palliative Care Australia Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is the peak national organisation representing the interests of all those who share the ideal of quality care at the end of life. PCA works to raise awareness of palliative and end of life care, improve the understanding and availability of services across Australia, and encourage discussion to support improved knowledge networks. www.palliativecare.org.au/Resources.aspx

CareSearch Palliative Care Knowledge Network CareSearch Palliative Care Knowledge Network is an extensive online resource of palliative care information and evidence. CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and supported by Flinders University and Health Insite. All materials included in this website are reviewed for quality and relevance.

Click the link below for resources and information for patients and carers 
www.caresearch.com.au/caresearch/tabid/64/Default.aspx

Click the link below for resources and information for health professionals
Clinical Practice www.caresearch.com.au/caresearch/tabid/65/Default.aspx
Professional Groups www.caresearch.com.au/caresearch/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Carers Australia Carers Australia is the peak national body representing Australia’s carers. They take a leadership role and respond to carers' needs and those of the people they care for, being mindful of their financial challenges and in many cases, lack of social inclusion. Carers Australia advocates on behalf of Australia’s carers to influence policies and services at a national level. They work collaboratively with partners and their member organisations, the state and territory carers associations, to deliver a range of essential national carer services. Click the link below to find out more about Carers Australia www.carersaustralia.com.au LifeCircle Australia Limited LifeCircle Australia’s vision is ‘Australians living and dying well’. LifeCircle supports those caring for, and those facing life threatening illness and end of life by sharing knowledge, information and experience to support a ‘good end of life’ for all involved. LifeCircle helps build resilience and capacity to care within communities and support people to live well right to the end. LifeCircle offers one to one mentoring for those caring for someone at end of life, telephone counselling for those affected by serious illness and at end of life, and community events that help people to plan for the later years.  Their dedicated staff and experienced, trained volunteers help thousands of Australians every year. For more information about Lifecircle and the work they do visit their website http://www.lifecircle.org.au

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