End-of-Life Pathway with Nurse Next Door
Many older Australians wish to remain in their own home, surrounded by family and familiar comforts, as they near the end of life and the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway makes this a possibility.
Designed for people with an expected life expectancy of 3 months or less, the End of Life Pathway provides up to $25,000 in dedicated funding for additional in-home care support.
Nurse Next Door can support you and your family with compassionate end of life care at home, delivered with dignity, respect, and a calm, consistent plan, enabling you to live life your way, right to the end.
We Respect
What Matters to You
End-of-life care is not only physical, it’s emotional, relational, and deeply personal. We take time to understand your goals, values, and what dignity looks like for you, so care feels respectful and truly person-centred.
Our role is to help create calm in a difficult time: supporting comfort, reducing stress, and making space for meaningful moments. We can also help your family feel supported and informed, encouraging open, gentle communication as decisions arise.
Above all, we honour your individuality, your choices, your culture, your beliefs, and your right to be cared for in a way that reflects who you are.
Our End-of-Life Pathway Services
Your Care team can provide a range of supports to help you remain at home, with comfort and dignity.
Services are based on your approved plan and align with Support at Home categories. The pathway can fund extra supports such as: Personal care (e.g., showering, dressing, toileting), Domestic assistance (e.g., cleaning, laundry), Meals and meal preparation, shopping and daily routines, Transport, Respite Care and Clinical Supports such as nursing care, plus allied health like OT and physiotherapy where appropriate
Nurse Next Door will put your needs first, so you can spend more time together.
Support Where and
When You Need It
Needs can change quickly at the end of life. Our goal is to respond with the right care at the right time, without delays, confusion, or unnecessary handovers.
We work in close contact with your broader health team to support smooth care coordination and a consistent plan at home. If services need to increase, we can adjust quickly and thoughtfully.
Most importantly, you will never feel alone. Your Nurse Next Door Care Team is here with steady, compassionate support, helping you and your family through each day and night with comfort and peace of mind.
Devoted & Experienced
End-of-Life Support
When a loved one is nearing the end of life, everything can feel urgent and overwhelming. Alongside the emotional weight, there are practical decisions to make, what support is needed right now, who will help day-to-day, and how to keep care consistent as needs change.
That’s where we come in. Your Nurse Next Door Care Team works closely with you, your family, and your treating health professionals (including your GP and palliative care teams) to coordinate support that’s calm, respectful, and responsive.
The End-of-Life Pathway is designed to complement state and territory palliative care services (it doesn’t replace them), helping ensure practical supports are in place at home while specialist teams focus on comfort and symptom management.
Clients accessing state funded palliative care
The End of Life Pathway works alongside state funded palliative care, so you may be able to access both at the same time if eligible. The End of Life pathway is designed to complement, not replace, state services which handle specialised symptom management. They run in parallel to provide comprehensive support.
Clients WITH an existing Support at Home plan
A doctor or nurse practitioner must complete the government's End of Life Pathway form to confirm a prognosis of less than 3 months to live. Your provider must then request an urgent Support Plan review to transition you to the End of Life pathway. As soon as this funding is approved the additional care can be provided.
Clients WITHOUT an existing Support at Home Plan
A doctor or nurse practitioner must complete the governments End of Life Pathway form to confirm a prognosis of less than 3 months to live. You must then request a high priority assessment from My Aged Care by calling 1800 200 422 or applying online. Once the funding is approved you can contact Nurse Next Door to arrange starting services.
Helping you to Understand
Frequently asked Questions
What is the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway?
It’s a short-term, high-priority Support at Home pathway that helps eligible older people with 3 months or less to live access additional in-home aged care services to support them to remain at home (if they choose).
More information is available on the Support at Home page.
How much funding is available, and for how long?
Around $25,000 over 12 weeks, with the ability to use remaining funds for a total of up to 16 weeks.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility must be confirmed by a doctor or nurse practitioner, including:
- Age - 65+ (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- Life expectancy of 3 months or less
- AKPS score of 40 or less
What is an AKPS score?
AKPS (Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status) is a clinical tool used to describe someone’s functional status (how much support they need for daily activities). Eligibility requires a score of 40 or below. A score of 40 is commonly described as being in bed more than 50% of the time (which can also mean “in a chair”).
What services can the pathway cover?
The same types of services available through Support at Home, clinical supports, independence supports, and everyday living supports (e.g., nursing, personal care, cleaning, meals, transport, respite), based on your approved plan.
Does the End-of-Life Pathway replace palliative care?
No. It’s designed to complement state and territory palliative care services, helping bring extra day-to-day support into the home.
Can the End-of-Life Pathway be used more than once?
My Aged Care notes the End-of-Life Pathway can only be used once.
Will there be any costs?
Participants contribute to independence and everyday living services (based on income/assets). Clinical supports (like nursing) are fully funded by the government (no contribution).
Can the funding be used for equipment or home modifications?
My Aged Care notes your plan may include a separate budget for assistive technology (products and equipment). The Department also states participants may access some assistive technology funding but cannot receive funding for home modifications under this pathway.
Where can we get independent help if we have concerns?
The Department fact sheet notes you can contact the Aged Care Advocacy Line (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 for free, confidential support.
Real People, Real Impact
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Delivering a WOW Customer Experience
Keir and her team have very diligently cared for my very dear friend every day for months. I couldn’t ask for a more responsive and caring team. I’ve met a lot of service providers in my time and this team is the best! Great communicators always putting the client at the centre of what they do. Thank you-it’s such important work you do.
Sue Gillieatt
"Mum was smiling when we returned home and Wendy was able to easily chat with us and let us know how the afternoon/evening progressed" (1/12/23)
andrew duggan
"I have found Nurse Next Door - Hawkesbury is always efficient and provides prompt service. NND - Hawkesbury team have excellent and clear communication and have great reporting procedures. Staff have a genuine care for clients and quick to identify and report risk when needed. I found NND are always reliable and able to deal with complex situations. A pleasure to deal with under all circumstances and challenges."
Victoria Lillie
Jonathon and Kyle have been amazing from start to finish. They have stepped in to assist at short notice for my client and have provided professional and personalized care for her. I could not recommend them highly enough
Nikki Mckay
Our experience with Nurse Next Door has been a very positive one. The staff are friendly, caring, and experienced and offer practical help and advice. My parents look forward to their visits.
Susanne Dittrich
Mother With dementia nurse polite and treats mam with respect and dignity. Gives myself advice and tips to help me help my mother get through hard days and night s. Happy to have nurse next door helping mother and me
Stevie Todd
Rev and the team, I’m not even sure how to put into words how helpful they were through what was a very hard time. My family were in crisis and I needed to organise 24/7 supervision in a matter of a few days. Rev gave me peace of mind and become a supportive partner in this journey and I am completely grateful. The nurse that came was kind and caring and exactly what we needed during this tough time. Thank you!
Natalie
Nurse Next Door is a wonderful and much needed organization. Kristy and Rachel are both very easy to deal with and are quick to respond. A huge thank you and love especially to Sally, Mary, Amanda, Danni and Georgia who were always so caring and kind to me and to Spike and Missy. Thank you
Maria C
All the Carers at the Nurse Next Door make it possible to stay in my own home, the carers offer support in every aspect of my life. Everyone from Nurse Next Door is always smiling and happy and it makes me happy and looking forward to having them again.
Leonie Smith
The best thing about Nurse Next Door is Danielle. Danielle is an incredible organiser and matches the right staff to clients. Even in the most challenging situations, she manages to find solutions that work. A huge amount of stress has been removed from my life since we engaged Nurse Next Door to organise staff to visit, support and take our mother (who lives in an aged care home) to places she used to do when she lived in her own home. This includes going to cafes, shopping, attending appointments etc … and making her feel special and valuable.
Cinti Sun
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Why Nurse Next Door?
Quality Home Care That’s Personal and Professional
Every Care Plan is thoughtfully crafted, and every Caregiver is meticulously chosen to meet your needs.
Quality Home Care That’s Personal and Professional
We Match You with Your Perfect Caregiver
We hand-pick the right person from our trusted team of Caregivers based on your needs, preferences and personality.
We Match You with Your Perfect Caregiver
Reliable Care with Our Attendance Monitoring System
Our activity monitoring system closely monitors every visit to ensure Caregivers arrive on time and schedules run smoothly.
Reliable Care with Our Attendance Monitoring System
Qualified & Insured Caregivers You Can Trust
Our Caregivers and Nurses are licensed, insured and highly qualified, with a minimum of two years’ experience.
Qualified & Insured Caregivers You Can Trust
We Aim to Provide You The Same Caregiver Everytime
We want you to see a familiar face every visit. Your perfect match Caregiver will learn your routines and favorite foods.
We Aim to Provide You The Same Caregiver Everytime
24/7 Live Calling Support
Speak with a real person in 30 seconds or less every time you call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
24/7 Live Calling Support
Comprehensive Care at Every Age
Our services range from elder care to daily living support for people of all ages. Quality care, regardless of age.
Comprehensive Care at Every Age
