Strengthening Our End of Life Care Through the ELDAC Linkages Program

As more older people choose to live at home for as long as possible, it's important for aged care providers to keep improving how they support customers with changing care needs.

At BCD we are committed to providing compassionate, respectful support for older people and their families, especially during life's most sensitive stages.

That's why we are proud to be participating in the ELDAC (End of Life Directions for Aged Care) Linkages Program, a sub-program of End of Life Directions for Aged Care, a nationally funded mentoring program by the Australian Government Department of Health to develop and support palliative care and advance care planning in aged care.

For us, this program is about building the knowledge, systems and confidence needed to better support people who wish to remain at home during the final stages of life.

Many people want to stay in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by familiar people, routines and memories.

Through this program, our clinical nursing team is strengthening its understanding of best practice end of life care so we can continue improving the support we provide to customers and their families.

How our clinical nursing team supports care at home

Through our Clinical Nursing Care at Home service, our team works closely with each person, their doctor, allied health professionals, carers and loved ones to shape care around what matters most to them. That includes taking into account their wishes, culture, home environment and changing care needs, so support remains personal, respectful and practical.

Our clinical nursing team also provides clinical oversight to the end-of-life care team, ensuring people receiving Support at Home are supported with dignity, comfort and coordinated care as they move through their end-of-life pathway journey.

As a trusted, registered Aged Care Provider with more than 20 years of experience supporting diverse local communities, we bring both clinical capability and local understanding to this work.

Supporting families as well as the person receiving care

End of life care is not only about the person receiving support. It is also about the people around them, partners, children, grandchildren, friends, carers and loved ones who may be helping make decisions, manage care and navigate a highly emotional time.

One of the important goals of this work is to strengthen how we support families to feel more informed, more prepared and better supported throughout the journey.

When families understand what is happening, what options may be available and how a person's wishes can be honoured, it can help bring greater clarity and comfort at a difficult time.

Building confidence through advance care planning

Planning ahead can make a meaningful difference for older people and the families supporting them.

“Death doesn't have to be taboo, there is beauty even at the end as someone leaves this world how they want in their final moments. I want this to form part of the work we do here”
- Liana Staggs

Through the program, our clinical nursing team is strengthening how we support advance care planning, helping people talk about and document what matters most to them.

"It is humbling to support someone and their family to pass with grace and no fear with support each step of the way"

- Jo-Ann Brown

" Being able to recognise early deterioration in end of life care will help to make it easier for the older person and their family members to get the support and guidance during this emotional time"

- Sacha Helson

These conversations can help ensure care is guided by the individual's values, preferences and wishes, while also giving families greater peace of mind about the path ahead.

To support this work internally, we have also created a dedicated End of Life Committee. This committee is helping guide the work across our organisation, bringing together staff and leaders who are passionate about improving how we support people and families during this stage of life.

"Supporting someone you love at the end of life changes you forever. Being part of the ELDAC working group allows me to turn that deeply personal experience into something meaningful, helping shape resources and conversations so other families feel more supported, prepared and less alone."

- Anna Dang

Learning from national experts and guiding change internally

A valuable part of the ELDAC Linkages Program is the opportunity to learn from national experts, specialist mentors and use practical tools designed to improve end of life care across the sector. This gives our clinical nursing care team the chance to deepen capability in a way that is practical, informed and focused on long-term improvement.

Participating in this program is part of our broader commitment to continuous improvement in the care we provide.

We want customers, families and provider referrers to feel confident that our team is investing in the knowledge, processes and clinical capability needed to support high quality care at home. Our focus remains on care that is respectful, person-centred and responsive to each individual's values and wishes.

At the heart of this work is a simple goal, to better support older people who wish to remain at home, and to help families feel supported every step of the way.

By strengthening our approach to end of life care now, we are working towards a future where more people can be supported to pass at home with dignity, in line with what matters most to them and those who love them.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about how our team supports older people to remain at home with dignity, comfort and compassion,
get in touch with our team today.