Where to find practical help as you support someone at the end of life
Key points:
Caring for someone who is seriously ill or dying is hard work – both emotionally and physically.
Knowing what help is available and how to coordinate it can go a long way.
Your GP can connect you to many relevant community services like equipment hire, nursing and transport
There are also online services through which you can hire a care team, household help or transport
As well as tending to the needs of the dying person, you may also need help with the many day-to-day tasks of running a household. Whether you have been caring for someone for a long period of time or have been thrust into the caring role quite suddenly, it is useful to know about the broad range of practical services designed to support you.
Palliative care
A multidisciplinary health care approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing a life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering and the treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems. Find out more here.
Respite care
These are home, community or centre-based services that provide care so that primary caregivers can take a break. Find out more here.
Transport services
You can get assistance transporting people to the doctor, hospital or other locations in suitably equipped vehicles; some require payment, while others are free of charge. For aged care transport service, click here. For help transporting someone with a life-limiting illness click here.
Community nursing
Comprehensive nursing care (health assessment, wound management, palliative care, continence care and stomal therapy) is provided at clinics in community health centres or in the client’s home. A referral from your GP is required to access these services.
Equipment
You can rent specialised equipment or aids to help you care at home; talk to your GP or local health service about how to access these. Some disease-specific organisations also loan or hire equipment.
Financial support
One-off or ongoing government-funded financial assistance (such as the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance) for people who provide daily care to someone who has an illness, disability or is ‘frail aged’. The Commonwealth Government’s Department of Human Services also offers financial support for medical equipment and incontinence products (see www.humanservices.gov.au for details).
Digital help
There are a number of online platforms that offer help with particular tasks and aspects of the caring role or even with help around the house:
- BetterHelp – private and affordable counselling from licensed, professional therapists
- Maybel - connect with care providers in your community and hire help directly
- Hireup – disability support workers available for hire
- Airtasker – people you can hire for home and office tasks, from handyman services and garden maintenance to pick-up and deliveries