Older Queenslanders
Queensland’s population is older today than it has ever been. We are living longer, and more people are living with chronic disease, dementia and increasing frailty.
Australians aged over 65 are the largest hospital users and have more chance of complications related to illness/injury.
Queensland Health is committed to making sure care at the end of life meets the needs of older people, carers and family members. Our aim is to make sure older people at the end of life:
- get cared for with respect, dignity and confidentiality
- can get healthcare and palliative care services, if needed
- are involved in their own decision-making and advance care planning
- have their treatment and condition explained to them in a way they can understand, particularly for those people who have impaired capacity or symptoms of dementia
- get cared for in the same way as everyone else
- have their individual medical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs supported
- get care from people they know and trust.
Planning ahead
It can be hard to talk about what might happen if you become very unwell. Advance care planning lets others know what you do and don't want for your future and ongoing health care. An advance care plan can help guide decision-making at a future time when you cannot make decisions or communicate what you want.
Find out more information about advance care planning:
Communication support
National Relay Service
The National Relay Service (NRS) is available to help callers with a hearing or speech impairment:
Call 133 677, then ask for (03) 9662 9644.
Speak and Listen users, call 1300 555 727 then ask for (03) 9662 9644.
Internet relay users, connect to the National Relay Service, then ask for (03) 9662 9644.
You can also download the NRS app.
Other languages
There is an interpreting service for callers who speak other languages. Call (03) 9662 9644 and ask for the language you need.