Palliative care is a specialised form of healthcare that supports individuals of any age who have a life-limiting illness.
When a cure is no longer the goal of treatment, palliative care focuses on maintaining the highest possible quality of life for the individual.
Palliative care is focused on quality of life and is directed by the patient, their carers, and family. It is not just about managing symptoms but ensuring comfort, dignity, and personal choice throughout the journey of illness.
At Ballarat Hospice Care, we provide compassionate, home-based specialist palliative care for individuals who wish to be cared for and die in their own home. Our dedicated team works closely with patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure tailored support and care that aligns with the patient’s wishes.
Who is palliative care for?
Palliative care is not just for patients. It also extends to carers, family members, neighbours, and friends who are part of the individual’s support network. Facing a life-limiting illness can be overwhelming, and at Ballarat Hospice Care, we are here to offer guidance, practical help, and emotional support to everyone affected.
What does palliative care involve?
- Pain and Symptom Management
- Emotional and Psychological Support
- Spiritual and Cultural Support
- Practical Assistance
- Bereavement Support
- End of Life Care
When should palliative care begin?
Palliative care can begin at any stage of a life-limiting illness and is not just for the final days or weeks of life. Some people receive palliative care for months or even years while continuing to receive treatment for their condition. The earlier palliative care begins, the more it can improve quality of life and provide meaningful support.
When patients become closer to the final stages of their life-limiting illness, care can become more complex. End-of-life care is the next step, ensuring comfort, dignity, and support for both the patient and their loved ones.
How can Ballarat Hospice Care help?
By focusing on comfort, dignity, and quality of life, Ballarat Hospice Care helps individuals and families navigate the challenges of life-limiting illness with compassion and support. Our home-based care ensures that individuals can remain in familiar surroundings at home while receiving expert palliative care.
As a specialist palliative care provider, Ballarat Hospice Care works in partnership with patients, their carers, and families to ensure that care aligns with their wishes. Our services provide the flexibility needed to support individuals who prefer to remain in their own homes. We provide palliative care in a number of ways, through face-to-face home visits, phone-based support, telehealth (video calls) and face-to-face visits to our Ballarat Hospice Care offices.
If you or a loved one could benefit from palliative care, reach out to Ballarat Hospice Care to learn more about the support available in your community.
