The End in Mind: A holistic approach to Palliative Care in the Residential Aged Care Setting

The ISS Fellowship supported Dr Bridget Laging, Founder of engAGE Care, to explore creative strategies to enhance the delivery of palliative care for older people living in residential aged care. This report describes novel palliative care practices in the residential aged care setting in Canada, including innovative building design; on-site simulation-based research to inform workforce practices; interactive activities to support people with dementia; enhanced onsite medical care and increased fluidity between the residential aged care and hospital systems; and the creation of “Dream Teams” to facilitate older people to identify and engage in outstanding experiences in their pursuit of self-realisation. It also responds to the needs of older people who are isolated at the end-of-life and the offer of a support person to be present with them when they are dying through a No One Dies Alone program. Dr Bridget Laging has returned to Australia and is establishing a No One Dies Alone (NODA) program in Victoria to support improved end-of-life care provision in both the hospital and residential aged care sectors.