Introduction/Background/Significance
Significant health reform is required to support end-of-life care that meets the demands of Victoria’s ageing population. Such reform should be informed by overarching consumer needs, expectations and priorities however little is currently known about what older Victorians want from their health care during this final stage of life.
Aims/Objectives/Hypothesis/Goals/Problem
The aim of this project was to explore what is important to older Victorians (aged 65 and above) while seeking end-of-life care.
Approach/Methods/Procedure
A mixed methods approach was employed including community-based, semi-structured focus groups (n=63), social media consultation (n=13) and an online state-wide survey (n=386) across metropolitan and regional Victoria. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and quantitative data underwent summary statistical analyses.
Results/Findings/Outcomes
Approximately half of participants had prior experience caring for an older person who had received end-of-life care. While most felt that the older person was treated with empathy and respect, and were ultimately happy with the care they received,
When it came to their own preferences, older Victorians valued being treated with empathy and respect, effective pain management and family-centred care which includes, informs and supports bereaved family members. Older Victorians wanted access to appropriate palliative care services as well as written plans and verbal conversations to document their preferences. Participants agreed that conversations around end-of-life care need to be held prior to medical emergencies however the awkwardness of the subject matter was identified as a barrier.
Discussion/Implications for practice
Honest, but sensitive, conversations and careful timing should be considered when discussing end-of-life care. Greater public awareness is required to encourage older Victorians to have the necessary conversations and make the legal plans required for them to receive the care they desire. End of life services should be enabled to provide care that responds to the needs of individuals and their families.
Conclusion
This project provides an evidence base that outlines the expectations, preferences and priorities of older Victorians for their end-of-life care, identifying the areas of greatest importance and, by extension, the areas where improvement may be needed. The findings of this research should inform the development of future healthcare policy in Victoria, ensuring that it is receptive to the changing needs of older Victorians.
Funding acknowledgement
This research was funded by the Victorian Department of Health