Toolkit
End of Life Support
Palliative Care
This page may feel overwhelming to read right now. You are welcome to come back to it at any time.
At Peace of Mind Foundation, we are here for you each step of the way.
Hearing the words 'palliative care' can bring so many emotions — fear, uncertainty, sadness, but also sometimes relief that additional support is available.
When ‘active care’ becomes ‘comfort care’
Palliative care can be offered to anyone at any stage of their diagnosis — it is not only for the final stages of life.
There are many myths around palliative care, and we've included a Palliative Care Australia resource below that addresses some of them.
Palliative care focuses on managing symptoms while also encompassing the psychological, social and spiritual needs of the person with a brain tumour. Your care may have moved from a team providing active treatment — such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy — to a palliative care team.
Palliative care and end-of-life care are not the same thing. Some people access palliative care for extended periods of time alongside treatment.
Key points on this page
Your palliative care team includes a holistic team of professionals.
Understanding what matters most to you can help get your future care right for you.
Having important conversations and planning ahead can help ensure your wishes are respected.
Peace of Mind Foundation can provide support and guidance through this stage of care.
Common experiences
Being told your care is changing can bring a wide range of emotions.
You are not alone in this.
Uncertainty about the future
Navigating difficult conversations
Worry about supporting children and family members
Anticipatory grief — denial, anger, bargaining, sadness
Changes in roles and relationships
Feelings of isolation
There is no right or wrong way to feel.
When you need someone to listen
Many people simply need a safe space to talk and feel heard — someone who can really listen, without trying to fix or solve, and who gives you time.
Our team understands that every person's story is unique. Some of our team members have experienced the loss of a loved one. Others bring deep empathy developed through years of supporting families through difficult times. We offer compassionate support grounded in understanding and genuine care.
Your Palliative Care Team
Palliative care is delivered by a team of professionals working together to support you and your family.
Peace of Mind Foundation Advocates
Available to you by phone. They provide a compassionate space for listening, help with applying for government funding, completing paperwork, and finding referrals and resources.
Peace of Mind Foundation — Community Brain Cancer Navigators
Available in person in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat (Victoria) and the ACT. Navigators can facilitate difficult conversations — including family conferences, memory making and legacy planning, advance care planning, funeral and burial options, and liaising with your palliative care or medical team.
Palliative care doctors
Help manage symptoms and any medical concerns.
Specialist nurses
Palliative care nurses who check in by phone, video or in person to monitor your symptoms.
General practitioners (GPs)
Your GP often remains involved and is an important part of coordinating your care.
Social workers
Provide support with counselling, accommodation, respite care, government funding and advance care planning.
Occupational Therapists (OT)
Help maintain your independence with everyday tasks by providing equipment for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or outdoors. OTs work to minimise barriers and empower you to live as independently as possible.
Physiotherapists
Work to reduce dependence through mobility, and improve comfort through massage, positioning and breathing techniques.
Psychologists and counsellors
Provide emotional and mental health support — a safe space to express feelings without judgement.
Spiritual care workers or chaplains
Help find purpose, forgiveness, reconciliation and ways to live meaningfully despite illness.
Having important conversations
As difficult as they may be, conversations about wishes, preferences and what matters most can bring clarity and comfort.
These conversations are not about giving up hope. They are about ensuring your wishes are understood and respected.
Conversations can start with:
Care preferences
Where you would like to receive care
Important people you would like involved
Cultural, spiritual or personal wishes
Advance care planning and creating a Will
Creating legacies — see Creating Memories and a Legacy
How you want to be involved with future care decisions
Whether you would like care at home, in a hospice or in hospital
Planning ahead
Planning ahead can bring uncertainty about where to start.
These reflection prompts may help you begin writing down your wishes or starting conversations with those you trust.
What matters most to you?
Going outside and spending time in nature
Quality of life and comfort
Being cared for at home, in a hospice or in a place of your choice
Being able to talk openly about fears and worries
Remaining independent for as long as possible
Having a legal will that records your wishes
Being an organ and tissue donor
Being kept informed about decisions around your care
Staying active in the things you enjoy for as long as possible
Having family and friends around you
Having an Advanced Health Directive completed so your wishes are maintained
Managing pain and symptoms effectively
Creating legacies and keepsakes for loved ones
Making sure your family is supported
Ensuring pets and animals are cared for
Taking care of children, grandparents, siblings or others important to you