The projects and initiatives listed here were identified through an environmental scan focusing on palliative care and end-of-life in aged care settings and are current as of May 2024. This list is not likely to be comprehensive. Please contact us if you would like us to consider an Australian study, project, or initiative for inclusion on this page.
For a complete overview of projects funded by ARIIA to address important gaps in the aged care workforce’s capability and knowledge, please refer to ARIIA Projects.
Research Studies
While the results of these programs of research may not yet be known, awareness of work in progress can inform other works in the planning phase and serve to connect researchers with potential participants or future collaborators. The following research trials were identified and added to the Knowledge and Implementation Hub in September 2022 and updated in May 2024. For clinical trials in palliative care added since this time, try searching the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.
The Advance Project
Lead organisation: HammondCare
Last Updated: 2022
Supporting organisation(s): Flinders University (CareSearch)
Funding organisation: The Australian Government
This project aims to develop a suite of practical and training resources to help community and residential care staff initiate conversations about advance care planning. staff to better support the families of people living with dementia.
The Enhanced Advance care planning and life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI) Project Pilot Feasibility Study
Lead Organisation: University of New South Wales
Funding: NHMRC
Last Updated: 2022
The Enhanced Advance care planning and life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI) aims to enable older adults to effectively engage with Advance Care Planning (ACP), in the home care setting.
The effect of using telehealth to train residential aged care facility staff in delivery of palliative care to residents on the rate of unplanned hospitalisation admissions and quality of end-of-life care
Lead Organisation: NARI
Funding: NHMRC
Last Updated: 2022
The IMPART program aims to improve palliative care in residential aged care (RAC) using telehealth. We will provide training and palliative-geriatric support to aged care staff and general practitioners (GPs) to enable timely end-of-life discussions, improve documentation of care preferences, and therefore enable preference-based care, reduce unplanned hospitalisation and improve residents' quality of care at the end of life.
CELPI: a randomised trial of a Carer End of Life Planning Intervention in people dying with dementia.
Lead Organisation: University of WA
Funding: NHMRC
Last Updated: 2022
This randomised controlled trial (RCT) will test a Carer End of Life Planning Intervention (CELPI) co-designed by clinicians, content specialists and consumers to improve access to end of life care for older people with severe dementia, using an ED visit as a catalyst for recognising unmet needs and specialist palliative care referral where indicated.
Understanding the lived experience of Rapid Palliative care In-reach for COVID-19 (RaPIC): views of aged care facility residents and their families.
Lead Organisation: Monash Health
Funding: Hospital
Last Updated: 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent supportive and palliative care (PC) needs and deficiencies in this unprecedented health crisis. In Victoria, the greatest impact has been felt in the vulnerable aged care sector. Access to specialist PC for symptom and end-of-life care has been inadequate. The research model proposed allows for multiple access points to PC services independent of illness trajectory, location or point of integration to other care providers, facilitated by telehealth to allow rapid and responsive delivery. It is well suited to address the urgent aged care COVID-19 PC needs.
Integrating pharmacists in residential aged care facilities to improve quality use of medicine
Lead Organisation: University of Canberra
Funding: Capital Health Network Ltd
Last Updated: 2020
This study will assess the efficacy, cost effectiveness and sustainability of having on-site pharmacist in residential aged care facilities (RACFs), as part of the care team, to improve the quality of use of medicine and reduce hospitalisations among RACF residents.
A simulation training program to improve end stage dementia care in residential aged care facilities and reduce hospital transfers: the IMPETUS-D cluster randomised trial
Lead Organisation: Melbourne Health
Other Collaborating: Allity Pty Ltd, University of Melbourne, Monash University, Deakin University
Funding: Australian Government Department of Health
Last Updated: 2018
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of IMPETUS-D an online simulation training program for staff working in residential aged care facilities (RACF). IMPETUS-D aims to reduce transfers to acute hospitals by improving staff knowledge and confidence to deliver end of life or palliative care within the facility, and to enhance consumer satisfaction with palliative care .
Australian Government Projects
Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care measure
The Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care (GCfAHPC) measure provides funding for coordinating palliative care through Primary Health Networks (PHNs).
Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care measure
The Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care measure (the measure) aims to help older Australians living in residential aged care, nearing the end of their life.
End of Life Direction for Aged Care (ELDAC)
ELDAC provides information, guidance, and resources to health professionals and aged care workers on palliative care and advance care planning to improve the care of older Australians.
Advance Care Planning Australia
Advance Care Planning Australia is a national program that promotes advance care planning, including resources and national curriculum and learning.
CarerHelp
CarerHelp provides free information, resources and advice, including managing grief and loss, to help when caring for a loved one.
CareSearch – Palliative Care Knowledge Network
CareSearch provides nationally available websites to connect health professionals and the general public with trustworthy, evidence-based information and resources in palliative care.
Gwandalan National Palliative Care Project
This project aims to improve access and the quality of palliative care service delivery for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia, by providing a suite of tailored education and training materials to support cultural safety within palliative care services.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia works with the palliative care sector to provide appropriate services and increase knowledge and awareness of palliative care within LGBTIQ+ communities.
palliAGED – palliative care aged care evidence
palliAGED is the palliative care evidence and practice information resource for the Australian aged care sector. It provides support for health and care practitioners as well as resource developers. The website also provides trustworthy information for older Australians, their families and friends.
Palliative Aged Care Outcomes Program (PACOP)
The Palliative Aged Care Outcomes Program, or PACOP, is dedicated to improving the outcomes of all Australians in aged care homes with a particular focus on those who are approaching the end of their life
The Advance Project
The Advance Project supports advance care planning and palliative care for people living with dementia, through free training and resources for the aged and primary care workforce.