Supporting your patients through palliative care 

May is Palliative Care Awareness Month, and for health professionals working with older people and those living with life-limiting illness, it’s a timely moment to consider what home-based support looks like in practice. 

For many of your patients, the preference is clear: they want to remain at home. Research consistently reflects this, and most health professionals working in this space will recognise it in the conversations they have every day. The question is often not whether home-based palliative care is appropriate, but how to make it work well. 

What Dovida provides 

Dovida supports palliative care clients at home across New Zealand, working alongside specialist palliative care teams, GPs, and allied health professionals to ensure care is coordinated and responsive. 

Our caregivers assist with the daily living activities that make it possible for someone to remain comfortably at home: showering, dressing, continence care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and laundry. They also provide companionship, which can be among the most meaningful forms of support during this period, and respite for family carers who may be carrying a significant load. 

Many Dovida caregivers have completed specialist palliative care training through the Dovida Academy, our Registered Training Organisation. This means they’re equipped to approach end-of-life support with both practical skill and genuine sensitivity. Our Care Managers carry smaller caseloads than many providers, enabling close coordination with the multidisciplinary teams already supporting your patients. 

Care is available from two hours a day through to 24-hour and live-in support, with the flexibility to scale as needs change. There are no wait lists for private services, which can be critical when a patient’s situation is evolving quickly. 

Working together as part of the circle of care 

Dovida sees referral partners as an essential part of every client’s care. When you refer a patient to us, we’re not replacing the relationships and clinical oversight you’ve established. We’re stepping into the circle of care alongside you, supporting the aspects of daily life that allow your patient to remain where they want to be. 

We’re happy to connect with your team to talk through individual cases, or to provide resources that might be useful for patients and families navigating this stage of life. Our Dovida PRO site includes information on palliative care that may also be helpful to share. 

For end-of-life hospice care information in New Zealand, Hospice New Zealand is a valuable resource for patients and families. Visit hospice.org.nz or call 04 381 0266. 

To make a referral or find out more about how Dovida can support your patients: 

Visit pro.dovida.co.nz Call 09 300 6053 Email care@dovida.co.nz