The Royal Commission into Aged Care recognised that palliative and end-of-life care should be considered core business for aged care providers. Palliative care is a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to care that prioritises the four domains of physical, social, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. Social workers provide holistic and preventative support that can contribute to the quality of life of people in aged care, yet Australian aged care providers do not commonly employ them.

 

To highlight the lived experiences of aged care residents.

 

This presentation is based on a phenomenological approach to exploring the lived experiences of older adults living in residential aged care. The study method involved conducting in-depth interviews, leading to observations and reflections that allowed residents to feel seen, heard and understood. A social worker was employed across several aged care facilities in Melbourne over two years to support residents and family members from admission to the facility, sometimes until the resident’s death.

 

Several overarching themes emerged:

1.  The need to feel heard and understood.
2.  Loss of identity and purpose.
3.  The importance of connection.

 

Exploring an in-depth understanding of an older adult’s lived experience relating to their last stage of life can lead to improvements in palliative care provision.  

 

These findings highlight the need for generalist palliative care providers to focus on the importance of authenticity when supporting older adults living in residential aged care. Whilst frameworks, guidelines, standards and skills training are essential to improve the quality of palliative care provision, we cannot underestimate the significance of compassionate human interactions. Furthermore, the loss, grief and struggle for meaning and purpose experienced by older adults living in aged care, highlights the need for an experienced and skilled multidisciplinary team approach to supporting this population group.