At Albury Wodonga Health, palliative care aims to help people with a terminal or life-limiting illness to live as well as possible, for as long as possible.
Across Albury Wodonga and the surrounding region, a number of specialist services work together to support individuals and families through one of life’s most difficult journeys. These include:
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East Hume Regional Palliative Care Consultancy - based in Wodonga and providing specialist consulting to GPs, regional and rural hospital teams and community nursing across Albury and Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla and including the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.
Albury Wodonga Health palliative care nurse, Angela Cummins, works with Wodonga Community Palliative Care, and takes great pride in supporting patients in the region as they navigate their final days, weeks or months.
‘It is a privilege to work with patients and their loved ones as they go through this very significant time in their lives,’ Ms Cummins said.
‘My role is to help remove the fear and stigma around death and dying, while helping people understand their choices.
‘As part of my work I also enjoy the opportunity to speak with local community groups where I can help to increase the profile and understanding of palliative care and the options available to people who are reaching the end of their life.’
Patients needing palliative care support may be referred by their doctor or specialist. They can also refer themselves via PalCare. Once connected, the service works with the individual to understand what matters most to them.
‘We begin by listening,’ Angela said. ‘Each person referred to the service is assessed holistically to better understand their needs. It is important that we establish the goals of their care, what is most important to the patient and their significant others, and their biggest concerns as their condition progresses,’ she added.
‘We talk through their options when it comes to reducing symptoms, with the aim of optimising their quality of life so they can do the things that bring them joy.
‘For example, a patient may tell us that they really value a regular outing to the shops or a local restaurant. To help them achieve this goal, we might talk about pain management, medication to help with appetite or mood, and equipment that may make it easier for them.
'The palliative care team also extends its support to families and loved ones, including help to navigate grief and loss. Our bereavement program has proven very supportive for those who have experienced loss.
‘We can support families to have some of the conversations that can be challenging, enabling them to make informed decisions together, and we can talk about grief and the grieving process,’ she said.
Patients can also nominate their preference for where they would like to be when they die - at home, in hospital, residential care, or elsewhere.
‘We always do our best to honour a person’s preferences, while being realistic about the clinical or logistical factors that might come into play. The end-of-life environment needs to be physically and psychologically safe for both the patient and those providing care,’ Angela said.
AWH Palliative Care services works collaboratively with many other health care providers including GPs, Medical Specialists, Ambulance Victoria and local District Nursing Services to provide care and support. These services support the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of people living with a life-limiting illness, their families and their care team, through the provision of specialist care. AWH Palliative Care includes a palliative care manager, consultant, registrars, nurse practitioners, specialist nurses, occupational therapy, social work and volunteer coordination.
After a loved one has died, Wodonga Community Palliative Care also offers a bereavement program to families for up to 12 months with regular check-ins and access to information and other supports.
‘We can connect families with a walking group which meets twice weekly at Sumsion Gardens,’ Ms Cummins said. ‘The group provides support, a place to talk and be physically active, which is also important when people are working through grief.’
‘We have a group of community members who are being trained to volunteer in the palliative care space. This is an asset to our service provision and a genuine benefit to some of our more vulnerable patients.
'We aim to provide the best possible service to our patients and their families,’ Ms Cummins said.
The generous support of local community groups and individuals is helping to improve the delivery of palliative care services in the region.
‘An important part of my job is speaking to local community groups and sharing information,’ she said.
The Rotary Club of North Albury recently donated $5000 to Wodonga Community Palliative Care, a donation that was matched by the family of the late Jim Poyner, a proud Rotarian, who had been supported by palliative care services.
‘These funds will make a significant difference to the community,’ Ms Cummins said.
‘We are always on the lookout for ways to better support our patients and there are some wonderful resources we are looking to incorporate into our work. Things like virtual reality goggles for someone who wants to see a particular destination on their bucket list or won’t get back to their Country before they die.
‘Mobile hair washing basins are another tool that can help a patient to feel more comfortable, refreshed and a little more like themselves at a time when using the shower might become more difficult.’
Ms Cummins urged anyone keen to know more to get in touch via the website:
https://www.awh.org.au/services-departments/community-health-allied-health-dental-rehabilitation/palliative-care