"Caring for a family member or friend?" information on Palliative Care published by Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre-Ph: 1800 242 636 for further resources.

 

"Patient Rights & Responsibilities" and "Asking Questions Can Help:An aid for people seeing the palliative care team" booklets published by Palliative Care Australia-Ph: 02 6232 4433 for further resources.

 

"Palliative Care - Your Next Treatment Option - 'Helping you to achieve quality of life when there is no possibility of cure" published by Palliative Care Information Service-Ph: 1800 772 273

 

"Palliative Caring at Home - The Ultimate Gift of Love - A guide for carers who are caring for a terminally ill person at home" published by Palliative Care Information Service-Ph: 1800 772 273.  Extract  from this booklet on information & services is as below:

                                             

                                                                      Bereavement Care

When the Person that you have been caring for dies, although it may be an end to their suffering, it can also be a time of great loss and sadness for you.  Ath this time you must remember to look after yourself physically, ensuring that you eat adequately and that you get enough rest.  Initially you may only be able to cope with the basics, so try not to do too much at all in the first few months and if possible, delay any big decisions that need to be made.

 

You may react in a manner that is unpredictable, and this may seem quite alien to you.  These reactive type feelings can include anger, anxiety, depression, relief and even guilt.  They may be quite frightening, particularly if you think you shouldn't feel some of these things, however you need to be able to express what you are experiencing in some way.  You will need support while you grieve, and a trusted friend or minister may be able to help, or you may even need the help of a professional bereavement counsellor.  Remember, you are not mentally ill, you are grieving.  Grief is normal.

 

Your local palliative care service offers bereavement care in a variety of ways, such as individual counselling, (face-to-face and by telephone) and group support.  You may find that it makes you feel better to go over the events leading up to and around the death with those that were there.  If you think it may be helpful, you may even wish to contact a member of the palliative care team who cared for your loved one and talk with them. 

 

Some of the larger funeral directors offer bereavement groups and a limited counselling service.  If there were difficulties surrounding the relationship with the person who died, you may want to visit a psychologist, social worker or counsellor.  Local support groups, books and articles on the grief process can all help you through the pain of your loss.  For information about bereavement services in your area, please telephone the Palliative Care Information Service during business hours on 1800 772 273.

 

 

We also have an "Emergency Care Kit", part of an Australian Governmetn Initivative which contains some useful information for carers.

 

"Asbestos: A Home Renovator's Guide" published by Queensland Health and the Queensland Goverment. 

 

 

 

Resources

                                     

A free Queensland and wide telephone information and referral service for people living with a life limiting illness and those who care for them.  Information is provided about palliative care services in your area and how to access them.  Phone: 1800 772 273

 

The Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre (CRCC) provides responsive, timely and flexible respite which supports carers' needs in an emergency.  The CCRC is a 24 hour, 7 days per week service that can also provide a range of planned, flexible, short term respite options based on individual need.  A carer is a wife, husband, parent, son, daughter, friend or neighbour who gives a significant amount of time to care for someone who is frail with age or has dementia,  has a  disability or  a  chronic   health condition or is in  need of  palliative  care.     The  Commonwealth  Respite     &    Carelinke  Centre   is  a  Australia Government   initiative.  Phone: 1800 059 059

 

Commonwealth Carelink Centres (CCC) are information centres for older people, people with disabilities and those who provide care and services. CCC provides free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available locally, intrastate or anywhere within  Australia.  Phone: 1800 052 222

 

The Queensland Cancer Fund (QCF) is the major advocacy organisation in Queensland for cancer.  QCF performs many functions from advocacy to counselling, and offers a telephone based support service to those pople facing cancer and related issues.  In rare circumstances, the QCF may offer one-off financial support to individuals and organisations.  Ph: 13 11 20

 

For advice or further information about general Powers of Attorney for financial matters only, or Enduring Powers of Attorney for financial, personal and  health  matters,  you  can  contact  the  Adult  Guardian   on:

Ph: 1300 653 187

 

These teams provide assessment, information, advice and assistance to older people who want to remain at home or who are thinking about moving to a hostel or nursing home.  The client is assisted to clarify his or her needs and to identify the most appropriate care options.  ACAT offices are located throughout Queensland including:

 

- Brisbane        (07) 3636 1203

- Cairns            (07) 4050 6446

- Townsville      (07) 4799 9050

- Mackay          (07) 4968 3823

- Gold Coast    (07) 5519 8412

- Toowoomba  (07) 4616 4925