Elena Ragonese

About Me 

My journey into the end-of-life space is shaped by decades of supporting individuals living with a terminal diagnosis or who experienced the sudden death of a loved one, and my 6.5 years in the role as carer and advocate for my mother, who lived and died, with end-stage kidney disease and dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

This profound experience led me to leave a 35+ year client services career and become an independent End-of-Life Doula within my community, providing holistic support to individuals navigating terminal illness, fragility, disability, and complex brain health conditions, including Dementia.  

Beyond this, I proudly serve as the Chair of the Logan Dementia Alliance and Choir Working Party, fostering dementia-friendly organisations and compassionate communities. 

My commitment  

Through my experience, I understand with conviction that dying is a profound human experience, not a medical event. Having witnessed the “good, the bad, and the ugly” of end-of-life journeys, I believe high-quality palliative care acts as a sanctuary, offering a person-centred, holistic approach.  

As a representative and member of Palliative Care Queensland, I advocate for palliative care as a fundamental right for every Australian, regardless of age, residency, culture, or identity, and aim to engage with consumers, carers, organisations and practitioners to:  

• demystify what palliative care truly is, and is not 

• encourage early engagement  

• break down barriers to compassionate conversations, before they are needed, and   

• advocate for the Dying Person’s Bill of Rights, helping decision-makers honour their loved one’s wishes when they can no longer speak for themselves. 

My special interest area is understanding the needs of those living with end-stage dementia, and individuals identifying as members of minority groups and communities, including CALD, LGBTQIA+, First Nations’ People, Veterans, and incarcerated individuals—ensuring their palliative needs are met with dignity and respect. 

I look forward to serving as a representative to consumers and carers. 

If you would like to engage Elena or another consumer representative for your project, please complete an application form and return to projects@palliativecare.org.au or call 02 6232 0700.