Services and Supports

Where to find practical palliative care resources and services

There are links here to practical resources and services that may help.

Legal and advance care planning resources

Carer Gateway: Provides information on legal matters including privacy and confidentiality.
Office of the Public Advocate (VIC): Enduring power of attorney.
Carers Victoria: Guardianship and Administration applications in hospital (1.61MB pdf).
The Advance Care Planning Australia website provides information and resources to support advance care planning in Australia.

Practical help and equipment

The Department of Veterans Affairs has produced a substantial guide Back to basics: handy hints for carers to help prevent back injuries.
As part of the National Continence Program a booklet on Caring for someone with bladder or bowel problems has been produced. This has several useful sections on managing at home, getting out and costs and products.
The Independent Living Centres Australia have a searchable database of products and equipment that can make caring easier.
Many of the services who provide practical help can be found in the CareSearch State Resources pages.

Family carer resources

Carer Gateway: National online and phone service includes practice information and support services for carers
Carers NSW Carer resources.
Emergency planning information can be found at the Carers Victoria website.
The NSW Government has produced a booklet: Walking with Carers in NSW (1.63mb pdf).
Caregivers Library: Appointment Information (54kb pdf).
Caregivers Library: Needs assessment worksheet (180kb pdf).
GatherMyCrew helps families to coordinate care at times of need.

Medicines

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) have information on keeping a medicines list that can be used to keep track of medication.
The Better Health Channel has a sheet on side effects of medication.
The search the PBS drug list information may be helpful.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has a PBS Safety Net Scheme that many people are eligible for.
Services Australia has a Pharmaceutical Allowance scheme.
The Canadian Virtual Hospice has information on help with medications.
The Caregivers Library has a weekly medicine chart (40kb pdf) that could be helpful.

Transport

There are many community based transport services. Your health professional or your local council may have information about what is in your area. You and the person you are caring for can travel together. Fees are based on income.

Taxi companies can provide vehicles if you are disabled (including wheelchairs). You will need to book in advance. All Australian states and territories have taxi subsidy schemes. These are for people with a disability who cannot use public transport. Speak to your GP about this.

The Austroads website has information on Assessing Fitness to Drive.

Disability stickers

Reserved car park spaces are sometimes available for the disabled. These are helpful if walking is difficult. Having this can help you to continue to go out. This could be to the shops, the cinema, a sporting event, a concert, the park or the beach.

You will need to apply to obtain a disability sticker. Your doctor needs to sign the form. This could be your GP, the doctor at the hospital or your specialist. The forms are available from motor vehicle registration departments (the forms may also be available on their website). Your GP practice may also have them.

Rural patients' travel assistance schemes

All states and territories have some form of transport and accommodation assistance. These schemes may help if you live in rural areas to access specialist medical services. They may provide you with financial help for the cost of travel and accommodation. Ask your healthcare team about this scheme.

State based assistance schemes

State based transport schemes and their costs:

Taxi fare subsidy scheme:

Last updated 02 August 2021