Karuna Palliative Care Service provides ‘at home’ palliative care designed to enable people with a life threatening illness to live comfortably in the familiar and reassuring surroundings of their own home.
Family and friends especially those in the role of carer are also supported.
The home care team of nurses, counsellors and family support volunteers work together to meet the needs of each client and consult with medical practitioners and other health providers involved in the client’s care.
Individual care plans are developed for each family and may include the following:
- Specialist palliative care nurse visits as needed to provide symptom management; carer education and support; information to help clients maintain control of their choices of care.
- 24 hour on call access to nurses. In addition to routine scheduled visits, the nurses are on call 24 hours every day for phone support and advice.
- Loan of home nursing equipment recommended by the nursing team (a delivery charge applies.)
- Counselling, spiritual support and guidance, and bereavement support for clients and family members on request. The support is provided by qualified psychologists, counsellors and social workers.
- Carer respite, practical support and client companionship from Karuna’s trained Family Support volunteers.
- Client liaison staff are available to discuss the family’s changing needs and the full range of Karuna’s services.
The service is available in Brisbane north, Caboolture, Redcliffe and surrounding areas.
Admission can be arranged through
- a direct request from the client or a family member
- a client’s general practitioner or specialist
- a client’s treating clinic or hospital
Karuna’s admitting nurse will first consult with the client’s medical practitioner to ensure appropriate co-ordination of care and then meet with the client at Karuna or in the client’s home. The nurse will develop an individualised care plan in consultation with the client and carer.
The home based 24 hour on-call service is provided free of charge. It is partially funded by Queensland Health but relies heavily on the generosity of donations from client families, community organizations, sponsors and individuals.
How Does Karuna Deliver Palliative Care?
Karuna offers its clients palliative care under a Hospice-at-Home model, a philosophy of care providing a holistic approach based on the individual needs of clients. Karuna’s services emphasise palliative care, management of pain and symptoms and supportive services that enhance comfort and improve the quality of life. These services are provided in clients’ own homes and in alternative residences such as nursing homes.
Most terminally ill people want to spend as much time as possible in their own home surrounded by those they love. Karuna acknowledges that it takes courage and commitment from family members to provide continuous care at home. Staff and volunteers are experienced in hospice care and by understanding the difficulties that clients and families face, they offer a wide range of appropriate support services.
