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Palliative care is the active total care of people whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Care is delivered by co-ordinated medical, nursing and allied health services that are provided where possible, in the environment of the person's choice. Control of pain, of other symptoms and of psychological, emotional and spiritual problems is paramount. Palliative care is delivered in three environments: acute hospitals, hospices such as Caritas Christi and in the home. Patients can choose the location where they are most comfortable and which best fits their needs. |
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| Palliative care services are committed to caring for everyone regardless of their race, culture, background, religion or belief system. Palliative care is available for all people facing any life-threatening illness, not just cancer. | |||||||||||||||
| The provision of palliative care relies on commonwealth and state government funding, and is therefore generally free. However, most community-based palliative care services, as well as Caritas Christi, rely on donations and fundraising to supplement the funds they receive from federal and state governments. Hospitals and hospices may charge fees for in-patients, fees which are generally covered by Medicare or private insurance. Palliative care services may charge for the hire of some equipment. Medication and supplies are purchased in the usual way. | |||||||||||||||
| The focus of a palliative care program is on making a person comfortable through the treatment of their symptoms - not only physical pain, but emotional and spiritual pain. Each palliative care service provides its own program to the person and their family. This may include nursing and medical consultancy, day hospice, counselling, dietary advice, loan of equipment, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other complementary therapies, social worker services, bereavement support, spiritual support, and pastoral care. | |||||||||||||||
| The staff of Caritas Christi are happy to answer questions you
may have. If you know of someone who might benefit from palliative care, you are welcome
to make enquiries and, by arrangement, visit the centre. Palliative Care Victoria and
Palliative Care Australia are also available to assist families in understanding
palliative care, and providing information on the range of services available. |
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| ©
Copyright 2000 St. Vincent's Hospital
Melbourne (Australia). |
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