Completed Research Project
Scoping the needs of palliative care for individuals living alone
Investigators: Kristjanson,
L., Aoun, S., Oldham,
L., Currow,
D., & Yates, P.
Funding: Australian Department of Health and
Ageing ($56,875).
Abstract: This study aimed to improve the support services for individuals receiving palliative care who live alone with no carer. The study identified: the needs of palliative care patients living alone, explore the different needs for rural, remote and metropolitan settings; how palliative care patients living alone were currently supported by home-based palliative care services and other community services provided by State and Territory Government’s and the issues, barriers and gaps in providing palliative care services to patients who live alone. These objectives were achieved by undertaking: a literature review to identify relevant findings related to the care issue; an analysis of current available data in three Australian states to characterise the scope and features of the issues within the Australian palliative home care context, and an investigation of the types of care needs and related service issues, by conducting interviews with clients and service providers. The overall outcome of the study was to provide direction for the development of models of palliative care, with support structures more specifically directed toward the needs of those living alone, that may help to inform future service planning.
