Australians should be dying to talk about what is most people’s last taboo.
Djerriwarrh Health Services acting chief executive James Rubeli is urging people to break with convention and start talking about dying during National Palliative Care week.
“It’s a tough conversation and we do not shy away from the fact it is a sad talk to have – but it is necessary,” Mr Rubeli said.
“Without knowing what our loved ones want, we cannot advocate for that on their behalf. It means more people can live in the way they want until the end, with the help of palliative care.”
National Palliative Care week, May 24-30, is a chance for people to get together, celebrate life and talk about death.
“In Australia, we prepare for births. We encourage families to have a birth plan and to prepare for the process of birth. But we ignore the other side of the birth coin – death,” Mr Rubeli said.
“We know most Australians want to die at home but one in two deaths occur in hospital. If we do not make our wishes known to those close to us, how will they know to ask for things such as home or community care?”
Mr Rubeli said it was important to ask questions, such as ‘how do you want to be cared for?’, ‘what values are important to you?’, ‘have you considered if you wish to be buried or cremated?’, to ensure family and friends know what loved ones’ end-of-life wishes are.
“Everyone needs to be an advocate for palliative care. It touches all of us at one point in our lives, as a carer or a patient or friend.
“It is an essential part of our health system,” Mr Rubeli said.
Palliative Care Australia urges everyone to join in the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtags #npcw15 and #dyingtotalk.
