5 Stages of Palliative Care: A Guide for Patients and Families
The former Home Care Packages program was replaced by the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. Funded in-home care in Australia now falls under Support at Home. A serious diagnosis brings many questions, and one of the hardest is understanding what the road ahead may look like. Palliative care provides a clear structure focused on comfort and support, whether care is provided in hospital, in a hospice, or at home through In-Home Aged Care . In Australia, palliative care services use a recognised five-phase framework to describe a person’s current needs and guide care planning. Palliative care is not only for the final days. It can begin at diagnosis, run alongside treatment, and continue for months or years, often improving comfort and quality of life. Understanding the Five Phases The five stages of palliative care are stable, unstable, deteriorating, terminal, and bereavement. Each phase reflects where a person is in their journey and shapes the care they receive. Know...