As Palliative Care Week (May 11-17) begins, Dovida palliative care nurse practitioner Karen Conte is urging Australians to have brave conversations about end-of-life wishes with loved ones. Despite 70% of Australians expressing a desire to die at home, only 14% do so, highlighting a gap in end-of-life planning.
“One certainty in life is that we are all going to die, and many of us, if given the choice, would like to spend our final days at home,” Ms Conte said. “The first step for providing access to quality palliative care at home starts with having a conversation about it, which can be difficult for many of us who don’t want to think about mum or dad deteriorating and dying.”
Palliative care supports people diagnosed with progressive illnesses such as cancer, dementia, or end-stage organ disease. It aims to improve quality of life by managing symptoms that may be physical, emotional, spiritual, or social, either in a care facility or at home. Having worked in palliative care for over 30 years, Ms Conte has seen too many families miss the opportunity to discuss end-of-life care while their loved ones can still communicate their wishes.
“At Dovida, our care managers talk to clients about advance care planning because we know that people are not often allowed to start these conversations,” Ms Conte said. “You need to have these discussions while your loved one is still relatively independent.”
Ms Conte is sharing her top tips for families during Palliative Care Week:
- Be Brave and Bring It Up: Start the conversation about end-of-life wishes early, even if it’s uncomfortable. This helps loved ones make informed choices about where they want to spend their final days.
- Know the Resources: Identify local palliative care resources, including GP services, home care providers like Dovida, and state-based palliative care organisations.
- Ask Questions: Write down questions for doctors, care managers, or palliative care teams to better understand available support and services.
- Accept Help: Let family and friends assist with daily tasks to free up time for more meaningful moments with the loved one.
- Take Breaks: Accept offers from others to sit with the patient while you take time to recharge. Staying refreshed is crucial to providing ongoing support.
Ms Conte stresses that having these conversations now can ensure that loved ones receive the care they need and fulfil their wish to spend their final days in the comfort of home, surrounded by family and friends.
