National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
National Palliative Care Week 2023 - 'Matters of Life and Death'
Friday, March 17, 2023
National Palliative Care Week runs, 21 May to 27 May 2023 and aims to put ‘Matters of Life and Death’ front and centre in Australia’s consciousness. Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer at Palliative Care Australia (PCA) says, “We understand that death and dying is a difficult subject to talk about and engage with, but this year we have some powerful voices joining the campaign to inspire and start important conversations.”
“The ‘people at the heart of quality palliative care’ – our workforce and volunteers, have opened their hearts to share the life lessons they learn everyday as they provide care and support to people and families living with a life limiting illness.
“The vibrant video and social media campaign that is central to the week will also allow us all to show our appreciation for the doctors, nurses, physios, social workers, occupational therapists, dietitians, volunteers and the many others who contribute to the person-centred team approach to palliative care.”
Adding further weight to our message is the world premiere of ‘Live the life you please’, a powerful documentary produced by Moonshine Agency. The film delves into the stories of real people from across the country, sharing their personal experiences of palliative care. The film will make you smile, laugh, laugh harder and occasionally shed a tear as this diverse range of Australians share the last chapter of their life with us.
“National Palliative Care Week and the stories we’ll share will open the door on the full scope and impact of palliative care and the quality of life it delivers. I hope it provides a moment of reflection for all Australians to think about and plan for the last chapter of life,” Ms Rowland says.
Film screenings and a host of other events will make for a busy NPCW around the country. A full list of events can be found below as well as a range tools to help grow awareness of palliative care. Getting involved and showing your support for palliative care and the people who deliver it is as easy as sharing your story on social media using #MattersOfLifeAndDeath.
“Whether you are receiving palliative care, looking after someone or know someone who is receiving care, we encourage you to share your experience and break down those taboos,” Ms Rowland says. The advice, tools, and support below have been pulled together to support those working and volunteering in palliative care and help anyone and everyone better understand palliative care and how to access it.
You will also find some great resources to start end-of-life conversations and record those wishes and plans. Please make the most of the communication and marketing assets below to show your support and help amplify the message.
Thanks again, got a question? Email pca@palliativecare.org.au
See what's happening in your state or territory
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National movie screenings
Advice for you
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Other advice, tools and support
- Understanding self-care
- Planning for self-care
- Self-Care Matters campaign resources – a Palliative Care Australia resource, which aims to support you – whatever your role in palliative care – to prevent burnout and build resilience
- Self-care for volunteers working in paediatric palliative care
- Self-care for health professionals working in paediatric palliative care
- Questions for carers to ask the team caring for your loved one
- The Essence of Spiritual Care: A learning module for health care workers
- End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) Toolkits – designed to help you in providing palliative care and advance care planning to older Australians
- National Palliative Care Standards for Specialist Palliative Care Services
- National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services
- CareSearch Health Professionals Centre – providing trustworthy and practical resources that are relevant to your practice
- End-of-Life Essentials: free education modules and resources
- Palliative Care Online Short Courses, Flinders University
- Oceanic Palliative Care Conference, Sydney, September 2023
- Free PCA shop
- Palliative care NSW – Homelessness and Palliative Care Report
- Department of Health and Aged Care – Exploratory Analysis of Barriers to Palliative Care – Issues Report on People Experiencing Homelessness
- CareSearch: palliative care issues for people experiencing homelessness
- Palliative Care Australia – Providing palliative care for people who are homeless; attempting to break down barriers
- Homeless Palliative Care Toolkit
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Quick links to more info
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Join the conversation
Grief can be difficult to put into words – and it can look different for everyone.
Through honest and deeply personal conversations, four bereaved mothers – Angela, Bec, Rachel and Yvonne – reflect on love, loss and living with grief, gradually removing the “mask” that can sometimes hide what grief really looks and feels like.
Their stories are different, but together they show the understanding and connection that can grow when people are given space to share their grief – and have it acknowledged by others.
Watch ‘Unmasking Grief’: https://bit.ly/3UrQNoY
#GriefAwarenessMonth #UnmaskingGrief #PalliativeCare #PaediatricPalliativeCare
🧡 They’re back! Our 1000 Hearts Starter Kits are back in stock.
Making a pocket heart is a relaxing and meaningful way to reflect on what – and who – matters most to you. Every stitch is a symbol of kindness and support for everyone connected with palliative care.
Get your 1000 Hearts Starter Kit today:
#PalliativeCare #1000Hearts #MattersOfLifeAndDeath
Grief touches all of us, but no two experiences of grief are the same.
This Grief Awareness Month, we’re sharing a helpful resource from ELDAC – End of Life Directions for Aged Care on supporting grief and bereavement in aged care.
For older people, families and carers, and aged care staff, grief can take many forms. Knowing how to respond with compassion matters.
ELDAC’s blog offers practical guidance on being present, listening with empathy and recognising when someone may need additional support.
Sometimes, support isn’t about finding the right words – it’s about making space to listen.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4cAmQcx
#GriefAwarenessMonth #PalliativeCare #AgedCare #Grief #Bereavement #ELDAC
“No single service can meet every need.”
Supporting families through grief doesn’t end when clinical care ends.
In this Service Story, Shelly Skinner, CEO and Founder of Lionheart Camp For Kids, reflects on how grief support is strengthened when health services partner with community organisations.
From supporting children and families in their homes to working alongside schools, workplaces and community groups, LionHeart demonstrates how collaboration helps ensure people continue to receive support long after a person’s death.
It’s a powerful example of Standard Six: Grief Support in action, reminding us that preparing families for loss also means connecting them with the right support beyond the health service.
Read the Service Story and explore Standard Six: https://tinyurl.com/Lionheart-Standard-Six
#NationalPalliativeCareStandards #CommunityOfPractice #GriefSupport #PalliativeCare #BereavementCare
People aged 50 recently received a letter from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing about taking practical steps now to support brain health and reduce the risk of dementia in later life.
But you don’t need to be 50 to make the changes – it’s never too early or too late to reduce your risk.
For more information and to get your personalised dementia risk score, see the comments below. 👇
Australian Government expands paid prac to strengthen Medicare.
The Australian Government recently announced an expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment to include students training in an additional 10 key frontline health professions.
Practical placements are an essential part of many health degrees, but they can also place significant financial pressure on students who may need to reduce paid work or relocate to complete their training.
The expanded Commonwealth Prac Payment is intended to help ease these cost-of-living pressures while supporting the next generation of Australia’s health workforce.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4gl1It4
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
