Palliative Care Support in Aged Residential 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.

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.

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.

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.