Deepening End of Life Care at Home: BCD’s Partnership with ELDAC
At the end of life, the small things matter most, a calm voice, a gentle touch, and the reassurance that no one is facing this moment alone.
That is the heart of the ELDAC (End of Life Directions for Aged Care) Linkages Program, which is all about bringing comfort, kindness, and practical support to older people and their families during life's most delicate final stages.
High quality palliative and end of life care is essential in aged care. It means honouring each person's choices, values and dignity during this sacred time, while also supporting those who love and care for them.
This is why our involvement in the ELDAC project is so important to us. It builds on the care we provide through our
Senior Care Worker model, further strengthening the way we work alongside our customers, families and staff, and offering clear guidance and gentle support at every stage of the end of life journey.
In this blog, we highlight the story of our ELDAC project lead, Liana Staggs, who also serves as a death doula,
Liana’s Story
During the COVID-19 pandemic, working within a residential aged care setting, I discovered my passion for palliative and end-of-life support. In those difficult times and with strict lockdown laws in place, I heartbreakingly often saw people go through the final stages of life and at times, pass away alone.
I would often take it upon myself to sit with them during and after my shift times.
I held their hands, listened to their stories, and spoke openly about something many consider taboo, death.
We talked about what mattered most to them: legacy's they want to leave, how they wanted to live their final moments, and how they wanted to leave this world.
I unintentionally became a Death Doula. Later, I chose to deepen my understanding and completed a Death Doula course to further my knowledge in this unique and sacred area of care.
A Death Doula is described as a non-medical support person who walks alongside individuals and families during the dying process, offering emotional, spiritual, and practical care whilst also providing physical comfort care.
Death Doulas help people create deeply personal end-of-life plans that honour their wishes, advocate for what matters most to them, and guide families through what they might experience and expect during life's most tender transition.
I am deeply passionate about encouraging gentle, open conversations around end-of-life conversations woven with kindness and care. Talking about death doesn't have to be frightening or taboo; it can be an opportunity to honour someone's wishes, celebrate their life, and bring peace to both them and their loved ones.
For me, this work is about love, dignity, and most importantly presence. I believe that every person deserves to feel seen, and cherished in their final chapter. After all, the last chapter of a book is often the most meaningful.
What is the ELDAC Linkages Program?
BCD has been chosen to work with the ELDAC (End of Life Directions for Aged Care) Linkages Program, a nationally funded mentoring program that helps aged care services strengthen palliative care, advance care planning, and end of life support.
Through this program, we're working alongside experienced mentors and specialists who support us to embed best practice end of life care into our services.
Being selected to take part in ELDAC means our team has access to expert guidance, practical tools, and ongoing mentoring.
This support is helping us improve how we walk alongside people as they plan for end of life, and how we care for them and their families during the final stages of life at home.
It's a significant opportunity for BCD, and one that aligns closely with our commitment to dignity, choice, and compassionate support.
The impact of this work flows directly to the customers we support and to our staff.
For customers and families, it builds on the person-centred support we already provide through our Senior Care Worker model.
For our team, it means continuing to grow their skills and confidence in palliative care and end-of-life conversations, supported by a clear End of Life Pathway for Support at Home.
It also builds on our clinical nursing services and strengthens our connections with palliative care services and health partners in the community, supporting a clear End of Life Pathway for Support at Home so that together we can provide joined up, responsive care when it matters most.
Learn more
If you'd like to learn more about our involvement in the ELDAC Linkages Program, partnership opportunities, or career pathways with BCD, we invite you to get in touch, email info@bcdcci.org.au or call 1800 275 223.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we encourage you to visit the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date and official information.