Overview

Key Messages – Managing Nutrition and Hydration in Palliative Care

• Eating and drinking are important parts of life. Food brings comfort and joy, and sharing meals helps people connect. Changes in eating and drinking at the end of life can be upsetting for both the person and those around them.
• Nutrition and hydration support in palliative care focuses on quality of life. This means prioritising comfort, symptom relief, and enjoyment of food (while possible) rather than strict dietary rules.

Goals of care

• Supporting the person to eat and drink for as long as they wish.
• Ensuring they have access to foods and drinks of their choice and opportunities to share meals with loved ones.
• Helping family and friends understand why the person may not be able to, or may choose not to, eat and drink.

Planning and Communication Are Key

• Good planning and communication between the person, their family, health professionals, and aged care staff help ensure their needs and choices are respected.

Managing nutrition and hydration in palliative care can be complex, with legal, clinical, and communication risks. This resource doesn’t cover all risks, but it may help aged care staff identify and manage key risks to ensure person-centred, high-quality care as part of risk-based thinking.