Palliative Care Toolkit

Caring for a loved one who has a life-threatening illness can be emotionally demanding. It is normal for people to experience a range of emotions such as anger, grief, sadness and fear (amongst other emotions) both during caring and after the care has ended.
If children are involved, you may have additional worries on how your children can cope during this time or how to talk with them about what is happening.

Here are some useful information, resources and links to help you with some of your feelings and worries.

Palliative Care Program
The Palliative Care team may:

• Refer you to the Palliative Care supportive care team social worker, psychologist or spiritual care worker
• Listen
• Suggest that you regularly take breaks from your caring role
• Encourage you to have regular catch ups with close friends
• Encourage you and the person you care for to talk to each other
• Arrange a family meeting with the support of the medical team or the supportive care team
• If you have an issue with anxiety or depression, or with personal problems, we encourage you to seek assistance from your GP and request a referral on to a community psychologist or social worker under a Mental Health Plan.

Helpful resources and links
Websites and other resources