http://www.banksiapalliative.com.au/

Banksia Palliative Care Service, 472 Lower Heidelberg Road, Melbourne (2025)

30/07/2025

“Is palliative care only for people who are dying soon?”
This is another one of the most common questions we’re asked.

The answer is: No.
Palliative care isn’t just for the final days of life. Many people receive support for months or even years, depending on their condition. In fact, the earlier palliative care is involved, the greater the benefit — helping people live as well as possible for as long as possible.

For more answers to palliative care questions visit our website where we've created a list of Questions and Answers. banksiapalliative.com.au/questions-and-answers

If you find there's a question about palliative care missing from our list, please leave it in the chat and we'll be happy to answer.

“Is palliative care only for people who are dying soon?”
This is one of the most common questions we hear - and it's just one of many that reflect the uncertainty and myths surrounding palliative care.

The answer is: No.
Palliative care isn’t just for the final days of life. Many people receive support for months or even years, depending on their condition. In fact, the earlier palliative care is involved, the greater the benefit — helping people live as well as possible for as long as possible.

To help clear up more questions like this about palliative care we’ve created a new Questions & Answers section on our website. Whether you're curious, concerned, or simply want to understand more, we invite you to take a look: banksiapalliative.com.au/questions-and-answers

And if you find there's a question about palliative care missing from our list, please leave it in the chat and we'll be happy to find an answer to it.

29/07/2025

Join us for a death café! 💀☕

In August Banksia will be running our very first Death café. Mill Park library has kindly offered to host us in their cosy premises as part of their late night opening hours.

Our death café is an invitation to bring people together to talk about death. It will be an informal conversation open to anyone in the public who has an interest in sharing ideas and experiences about death. Bring your stories, your curiosity and an open mind.

This event isn’t a grief support or counselling session, but rather a unique opportunity to explore ideas, challenge taboos and embrace the reality of mortality in a supportive community over a cuppa.

It is a free event, but we’d love you to register so that we know how many to expect.

Date: Thursday 28 August
Time: 6.30 – 8pm
Venue: Mill Park Library, 394 Plenty Rd, Mill Park

For more information: https://banksiapalliative.com.au/death-cafe/
To register: https://events.humanitix.com/death-cafe-with-banksia

25/07/2025

Banksia's Bereavement Social Group is running again next Friday 7 August.

This is a peer support program that connects bereaved people with others who share the lived experience of caring for a loved one who has died. This group is open to family and friends of former Banksia Palliative Care clients. It’s an opportunity for conversation and reflection about life and loss.

The group meets on the first Friday of each month at Heide Kitchen (in the outdoor undercover area) for a coffee and an opportunity to talk. Those who are interested can take a walk together through the gardens at the end of the meetup.

These events are facilitated by a Banksia social worker and volunteer.

The next meetup is taking place on Friday 1 August 2025

To learn more or register your attendance, please visit:
👉 https://banksiapalliative.com.au/bereavement-social-group/

24/07/2025

Meet Lisa A – The Heart at Banksia’s Front Desk 💙

If you’ve ever visited Banksia, chances are one of the first people to greet you was Lisa. Warm, grounded, and genuinely caring, Lisa is not just our receptionist – she’s often the first comforting voice people hear on difficult days.

“I like to do a job that makes a difference – to help people feel like they matter,” she says. And that’s exactly what she does.

With a background in community-focused roles, Lisa brings deep compassion to every interaction. In palliative care, the calls and conversations aren’t always easy, but Lisa knows how much it can mean just to be heard. “I don’t rush people. Sometimes, I might be the only person they speak to that day – or even that week. Mostly, they’re just grateful to be listened to.”

Beyond the phone calls at reception, Lisa also helps to keep the wheels turning behind the scenes, supporting our teams as they head out into the community each day.

Her warmth and kindness are a steady light at the start – and close – of every day at Banksia.

If someone you know is living with a life-limiting illness in the Nillumbik, Banyule or Whittlesea areas, palliative care might help them live better, for longer. Visit our website to learn more or make a referral: https://banksiapalliative.com.au/

22/07/2025

Caring for someone at home is a shared journey - and you don’t have to walk it alone. 💛🏡

At Banksia, we understand how important it is for people to remain in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by the people and things they love when they are unwell.

Collaborative Care at Home is an approach to caring that recognises the strength and comfort found in community. When families, friends, neighbours and professionals come together, we create a circle of care that supports not just the person who is dying, but everyone around them.

Whether it’s helping with daily tasks, offering a listening ear, or managing care needs - every act of kindness makes a difference. Together, everyone within your closest network community can create a circle of care that brings ease, connection, and dignity.

We encourage you to reach out to your family, friends, social groups, informal care networks, as well as Banksia, to draw on all the resources and knowledge that your community collectively holds.

For more information on how to create collaborative care at home, visit Banksia's webpage: https://banksiapalliative.com.au/collaborative-care-at-home/

17/07/2025

Caring for someone else? Don't forget to care for yourself. 💚

At Banksia Palliative Care, we understand the challenges carers face. Prioritising your own well-being isn't just important - it's essential!

Quick self-care tips for carers:
* Stay active: Incorporate enjoyable exercises like walking or swimming into your routine.
* Rest well: Aim for quality sleep; consider relaxing activities before bedtime.
* Eat healthily: Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated.
* Stay connected: Engage with friends, family, and support groups.
* Seek support: Don't hesitate to ask for help when needed.

Remember, taking care of yourself enables you to provide the best care for your loved one.

For more resources and support, visit: banksiapalliative.com.au/carers-self-care

15/07/2025

Clare is one of Bankia’s registered nurses. She’s worked with Banksia since 2020 and got the job with Banksia the same day that she found out she was pregnant with her second child. Two dreams came true at the same time!

Working in community palliative care is her dream job. She loves making a difference to the lives of those people who are at their most vulnerable.

‘In an acute hospital setting there’s no time to spend time with clients, get to know them and learn about what they want. We can do this when we go into their homes, and people are so appreciative of what we do for them. I do feel like I’m making a big difference’.

Clare plays netball 3 – 4 times a week and is soon to run a half marathon!

If you’re living with a terminal illness in the Whittlesea, Nillumbik and Banyule council areas, you may be eligible for free palliative care with Banksia. Contact us on 9455 0822 or visit our website: https://banksiapalliative.com.au/ for more information on making a referral.

14/07/2025

🌿Enhance your Palliative Care Skills with Banksia's Essentials Course

Are you a healthcare professional seeking to deepen your understanding of palliative care? Join our comprehensive six-week education series designed for Registered Nurses, Personal Care Attendants, Aged Care Facility staff, Allied Health Professionals, and anyone interested in palliative care.

📅 Course Dates: Wednesdays, 20 August – 24 September 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Attend in-person at 472 Lower Heidelberg Road, Heidelberg, Victoria, or join online via Microsoft Teams

Course Highlights:
🔹Foundations of palliative care, including philosophy and effective communication
🔹Psychosocial support, anticipatory grief, and spiritual care
🔹Symptom management: nausea, fatigue, delirium, dyspnoea
🔹Pain management and opioid conversions
🔹End-of-life care, including palliative emergencies and Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)

💰 Pricing:
$275 per session
$1,485 for all six sessions (save $165)

Each session contributes to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours and is facilitated by experienced Banksia educators with expertise in palliative care.

🔗 Find out more or register now: https://banksiapalliative.com.au/palliative-care.../

Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, quality care to those in need.

11/07/2025

Are you an aged care provider looking to enhance your team's confidence in delivering palliative care?

Banksia Palliative Care offers flexible, practical education sessions tailored to aged care facilities. Designed to boost confidence, reduce stress, and enhance end-of-life care, these practical, scenario-based trainings are available online or on-site, with flexible scheduling to suit your staffing arrangements.

Topics include palliative care fundamentals, pain management, communication strategies, and dementia care.

✨ What’s included?
✅ Scenario-based, interactive training
✅ Topics like pain management, medications, dementia care, end-of-life care, and communication
✅ Delivered in-person or online, at a time that suits your team
✅ CPD hours available
✅ Sessions start from just $295 + GST

Together, we can improve quality of life and reduce stress for aged care staff, residents, and their families.

Contact Banksia at (03) 9455 0822 or visit https://banksiapalliative.com.au/education-in-aged-care/ for more information.

09/07/2025

Lisa is an enrolled nurse and has always had a passion for aged care and working with older people. She’s worked in aged care for over 30 years.

Now she works for Banksia, and she’s become a specialist in palliative care. “I love working within the Palliative Care Aged Care Team here at Banksia and feel our service is an invaluable asset to the aged care sector”.

Banksia has a program in which our staff go into aged care services and support clients and their families with palliative care needs. “Seeing it from the palliative care perspective, I can see how valuable specialist support can be within an aged care setting. We attend facilities and work with GP’s and facility staff to ensure symptoms such as pain, discomfort and agitation are managed with care”.

On our Aged Care Team’s recommendations Banksia staff will step in and offer a arrange of other services such as massage, volunteer support, social work and grief and bereavement support. “We have a holistic approach to care and consider all aspects of what will make our clients most comfortable. We’re also in regular contact with families offering them support and assurance that there loved one is getting the best care possible”.

If your loved one is in residential or aged care within the Banyule, Whittlesea and Nillumbik areas and you’d like them to be receiving expert palliative care, please contact us on 9455 0822 or visit our website https://banksiapalliative.com.au/agedcareservices/ to make an online referral.

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08/07/2025

This NAIDOC Week, Banksia Palliative Care honours and celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise the ongoing connection to land, culture, and community.

At Banksia, we are committed to listening, learning, and walking alongside First Nations peoples in ways that uphold dignity, respect, and cultural strength -especially at life’s most vulnerable times.

Banksia Palliative Care Service

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