Medication Management
This section supports nurses and care workers who support the older people in residential aged care to saely manage medicines for people in the palliative phase1 . It also helps identify and manage possible risks.
There is also a factsheet for residents, their families and friends.
Key messages
- The person (and, if needed, their family or decision-maker) should have the right information to make choices about their medication and treatment.
- The person’s wishes should come first. They have the right to say no to medication or treatment.
- Medication needs and goals should be checked regularly because they will change during the palliative phase.
- People may get worse quickly in their final stage of life. Planning ahead for sudden changes in symptoms will help ensure they get the right care.
- The main goal is quality of life. People should have a peaceful and comfortable end of life with as little pain and distress as possible.
Common medication practices in palliative care
- Reviewing medications – stopping medicines that are no longer needed.
- Prescribing in advance – having medicines ready to ease pain and symptoms.
- Withholding or stopping treatments – avoiding treatments that are no longer helpful.
- Managing pain and symptoms – making sure the person is as comfortable as possible.
Good communication with the person and, where appropriate, their family/support network, helps ensure they feel empowered and supported in their end of life care.