How does the aged care system work, and what do nurses need to know about the End-of-Life Pathway?

In this PCNA webinar, Kumarie Clark and Kirstan Dowling provide a practical introduction to the aged care system, including Support at Home, aged care assessment and funding classifications.

Facilitated by Sarah Begley, the discussion brings together experience in aged care assessment and aged care navigation to unpack how people access aged care services and where the End-of-Life Pathway fits within the broader system.

The session explores the End-of-Life Pathway, including eligibility and access, available funding, and how the pathway works alongside specialist palliative care.

Kumarie and Kirstan also share insights from their experience working within the aged care system and supporting older people and their families to navigate services and access the care and support they need.

About our speakers

Kumarie Clark is an Occupational Therapist with 25 years’ experience working across community aged care in regional South Australia and the Northern Territory, including aged care assessment, Transition Care Program (TCP), Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) and subacute rehabilitation.

Kumarie has worked with NT Health for the past five years, including four years as Aged Care Assessment Team Leader, and is currently Acting Manager of the Top End Aged Care Unit. In this role, she manages the Aged Care Assessment Service, Memory Service, Older Persons Wellbeing Service and Community Frailty Service.

Kirstan Dowling

Kirstan Dowling is a proud Western and Central Arrernte woman from Mparntwe (Alice Springs), now living and working on Larrakia Country. She is a qualified Aboriginal Health Practitioner with more than 15 years’ experience across primary health care, chronic disease, aged care, palliative support, community engagement and advocacy.

Kirstan currently coordinates the Elder Care Support Program at Danila Dilba Health Service, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and their families to navigate My Aged Care and access culturally safe, coordinated services.

Her areas of experience include care coordination, end-of-life advocacy, service navigation, cultural safety, stakeholder engagement and supporting clients and families through complex health and social circumstances.

Palliative Care Nurses Australia (PCNA) provides education, connection and professional support for nurses and others with an interest in palliative care.