Caring@home has released new culturally tailored resources developed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who are caring for someone at the end of life at home or on Country.
These practical, step-by-step tools aim to empower families with the knowledge and confidence to provide care that is both clinically safe and culturally meaningful.
NEW Providing Practical Care Guides
The latest additions include five step-by-step guides that provide easy-to-follow instructions for common care tasks at home:
- How to care for the eyes and the nose
- How to care for the mouth
- How to change a pad
- How to wash a person
- How to move and position a person in bed
These resources are available in two versions, featuring either Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artwork, to reflect the cultural identity of the carer and person receiving care. The links above are to the Aboriginal versions, to access the Torres Strait Islander versions click here and refer to the Torres Strait Islander column: caring@home resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families. The guides include illustrations and clear language to support families in providing safe, respectful care in familiar surroundings.
NEW Keeping Your Medicines Safe Brochure
Another new resource, the Keeping your medicines safe brochure, supports First Nations families in the safe management of palliative care medicines. It offers culturally appropriate advice on how to:
- Use medicines safely
- Store them securely
- Dispose of them correctly when they are no longer needed
By following these guidelines, families can help ensure the safety of their household and wider community while supporting their loved one’s comfort and dignity.
These resources are designed to be printed and shared by clinical services working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Health professionals are encouraged to integrate them into care planning and family education, ensuring culturally safe practices are embedded in all aspects of home-based palliative care.
All resources are free to download from the caring@home website and are available in accessible PDF formats.
Families and services can access the full suite of First Nations-specific materials by visiting the following link: caring@home resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families