This report produced by the Irish Hospice Foundation and the HSE documents the results of a joint project based in ROI between a residential care facility for older people and a specialist palliative care in-patient unit that aimed to develop a framework to support staff to engage in end of life care discussions with residents.  The project took an action research approach and includes a series of planned actions to address: staff difficulties in initiating discussion; confidence in engaging with residents on this topic and on dealing with difficult situations; recording information gathered;  recognising the dying phase; finding clarity between palliative care and end of life care; supporting families.  A post project evaluation was completed six months later and a series of future action plans is included.