Our principle aim is to provide care at an optimum level, for all who come to us for assistance: the terminally ill patient, the frail elderly patients living nearby who can be helped by day care or the home-based patient in need of symptomatic treatment or whose care-giver requires temporary respite.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is the active total care of people whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Care is delivered by coordinated 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.
Is palliative care available to everyone?
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.
What does palliative care cost?
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 inpatients, 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.
How can a palliative care program help?
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.
Further information
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.
For further information contact Caritas Christi Hospice Reception:
Tel: (03) 9853 2344
Reception will direct you to:
- Inpatient admissions
- Consultation services
- Outpatient clinic appointments
- Day Hospice, or (03) 9854 1621 direct
Centre for Palliative Care
– Enhancing care through excellence in education and research.
The Centre for Palliative Care is part of St Vincent's and is a Collaborative Centre of The University of Melbourne, Australia.
The Centre has a state-wide role in palliative care education and research in Victoria, with networks and collaborative projects extending nationally and internationally.
Web: www.centreforpallcare.org
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.
Palliative Care Victoria
Level 2
182 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Tel: (03) 9662 9644
Fax: (03) 9662 9722
Email: info@pallcarevic.asn.au
Web: www.pallcarevic.asn.au
Palliative Care Australia
PO Box 55
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6232 4433
Fax: (02) 6232 4434
Email: pcainc@pallcare.org.au
Web: www.pallcare.org.au