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Recognising Your Vital Role

At the heart of every palliative care journey is a carer—a partner, child, parent, or friend providing the essential support that allows a loved one to live with dignity. We recognise that while you are a vital part of the care team, you also have your own needs, fears, and health to maintain.

Caring for someone with a serious illness is a profound act of love, but it is also demanding. This page is designed to connect you with the specific resources available in Queensland to help you feel supported, informed, and capable in your role.

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24/7 Support and Advice

In Queensland, you never have to navigate a difficult night or a confusing symptom alone.

  • PalAssist (1800 772 273): This is a free, Queensland-specific service funded by Queensland Health. It provides 24/7 access to clinical advice and emotional support from palliative care experts. Whether you have a question about medication or simply need someone to talk to, PalAssist is there for you.

  • 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84): For general health advice from a registered nurse at any time of day or night across Queensland.

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Practical Skills for Caring at Home

Many carers feel anxious about the clinical aspects of care. We recommend the following resources to build your confidence:

  • caring@home: This Queensland-led initiative provides free resources, including step-by-step videos and printed guides, to help carers manage symptoms and medicines safely. Your palliative care team can provide you with a 'Carer Training Package' and a 'Community Palliative Care Resources Box' to help you manage your loved one’s comfort at home.

  • Palliative Care Queensland (PCQ): PCQ offers "PalliLEARN" sessions—community education programmes designed to help everyday Queenslanders understand how to support someone at the end of life.

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Taking Care of Yourself: Respite and Counselling

Taking a break is not a sign of "giving up"; it is an essential part of being a sustainable carer.

  • Carer Gateway (1800 422 737): This is your primary point of contact for support. In Queensland, the Gateway connects you with providers like Wellways to access peer support groups, tailored coaching, and emergency respite care if you suddenly become unable to provide care.

  • Respite Options: Depending on your location in Queensland, respite may be available in your home, at a local hospice (such as Hummingbird House for children or Hopewell Outreach on the Gold Coast), or within a residential aged care facility.

  • Griefline (1300 845 745): Providing specific support for "anticipatory grief"—the difficult emotions experienced while a loved one is still with you but their health is declining.

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Ensuring the "paperwork" is in order can provide immense peace of mind.

  • Queensland Advance Care Planning: It is important to use the correct Queensland Government forms for legal health matters. We can assist you with the Advance Health Directive and Enduring Power of Attorney documents.

  • Centrelink Support: You may be eligible for the Carer Payment or Carer Allowance. We recommend contacting a Centrelink social worker to discuss your specific financial situation.

Financial and Legal Resources