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National Palliative Care Week 2010
23 - 29 May
If one thing in life is certain, it is that death will happen to us all. In spite of this, many people come to the end of their lives without having thought about it, talked about it, or planned for it. Without a plan, you may not receive the care you want.
If only I knew … how to talk about dying is the theme for the 13th National Palliative Care Week.
When we think about the end of life, we need to think about what kinds of treatments we want, who we would like to care for us, and where we would like to be when we die. Importantly, we have to tell the people around us about our wishes.
Talking about dying is not something that comes naturally to Australians. Yet each year half a million Australians experience the impact of terminal illness.
‘One of the greatest barriers to accessing quality care at the end of life is a lack of knowledge and preparation. This year, we’re encouraging people to think about how they would like their end of life to be’, said Professor Margaret O’Connor AM, President of Palliative Care Australia.
‘This is often a difficult conversation to start – but it’s important to know there is no right or wrong way to talk about dying. Most people find these conversations difficult. It is also important that these conversations are had when people are well, not when people are close to death.’
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