Utilising literature and systems theory to explore the intersections between policy, practice and equity of access to palliative care for older adults in Aotearoa New Zealand

INTRODUCTION: Older adults are the 'disadvantaged dying' within palliative care (Gott et al., 2011). International and national research indicates older adults experience inequity of access to inpatient and outpatient palliative care.APPROACH: Undertaking post-graduate study allowed exploration of older adults' experiences of inequity observed in practice, particularly how access to resources could change a person's end-of-life choices or impact the capacity for a family to care for loved ones at home. This article examines the intersections between policy and palliative care practice, ageism and inequity experienced by older adults, including Ma over bar ori and LGBTQ+ perspectives, and older adults' caregivers, family and wha over bar nau.CONCLUSIONS: A social work lens has enabled exploration of the impacts of inequity and ageism within academic literature, strategic documents, and legislative frameworks to advocate for older adults within palliative care services. Research advocates for age-attuned policy development and specialist education for palliative practitioners as the way to effectively disrupt age-related inequity and improve outcomes for older adults within palliative care services.