Palliative Care Support in Aged Residential Care

31 March 2025

About palliative care

Palliative care helps people with a life limiting illness live their life as fully and comfortably as possible.


Palliative care identifies and treats symptoms which may be physical, emotional, spiritual, or social. It is a family centred model of care, meaning that whānau and friends can also receive practical and emotional support.

Palliative care in aged care

Aged Residential Care (ARC) facilities are increasingly important settings for palliative and end of life care. The ARC facility staff and GP are the main providers of your care. They are supported by the Nurse Maude Palliative Aged Residential Care (PARC) service.

Palliative Aged Residential Care (PARC) Service

The Nurse Maude PARC service is part of the Hospice Palliative Care Service at Nurse Maude. The PARC service is a team of Clinical Nurse Specialists who work in partnership with all ARC facilities across Canterbury to ensure palliative care support is available to residents and their whānau.


The focus of the PARC team is on education and specialist support of the facility staff to assist with palliative care provision. This may include symptom management advice, help with advance care planning, assisting with family meetings and consultation with the wider Nurse Maude Hospice Palliative Care Service. Your facility nurse may ask the PARC Clinical Nurse Specialist to meet you and/or your whānau if appropriate.

Our position on the End of Life Choice Act 2019

We will follow our obligations in accordance with the Act if a resident wishes to explore euthanasia. However, our staff will not assess residents for eligibility, nor be present during the administration of any medication used in euthanasia, wherever that may take place. Please note that our position may not reflect the position of your facility. Please discuss with the Clinical Manager.

For more information

To find out more about the service or palliative care, please do talk to your facility nurse.


We welcome comments on the Nurse Maude PARC service.


Please feel free to complete our online survey here or phone the Nurse Maude Hospice on 03 375 4274 and ask for the Service Manager.

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14 September 2025
This Wills Week, we’re reminding our community of the importance of having a will - and the incredible impact you can make by leaving a gift to charity. A will gives you peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be carried out and your loved ones cared for. It can also be a powerful way to create a lasting legacy by supporting causes close to your heart. Why it’s important to have a will A will ensures your assets are distributed the way you want. It helps reduce stress and uncertainty for your loved ones. You can appoint guardians for your children. You can leave gifts to the charities you value, continuing your support beyond your lifetime. Gathered Here Partnership Nurse Maude, together with hospices across Aotearoa, has partnered with Gathered Here to make writing or updating your will simple, fast, and free. Gathered Here is a trusted online service where you can write a will in just 20 minutes. You’ll have the option to include a gift to Nurse Maude, ensuring that future generations can continue to receive the specialist palliative and hospice care that our community depends on. Every gift makes a difference A bequest, no matter the size, is a deeply meaningful way to support the care, compassion, and dignity we provide for patients and their whānau every day. Your generosity helps us continue our mission to care for people in their homes and in our hospice, free of charge. 
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