Death is not always a quick or unexpected experience.
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For some it can be a prolonged and painful period.
That’s why the Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District are encouraging residents to talk about a plan for their end of life care with friends and family.
The request coincides with Palliative Care Week (May 20 to May 26).
Port Kembla Hospital palliative care specialist, Dr Zivai Nangati, said it was important to ensure conversations about death were not avoided.
“What we hope is for the conversation about death to be as normal as possible,” she said.
“We want to encourage patients to have a conversation with family and friends about what is most important.
“The thing we focus on is encouraging people to plan ahead.”
Unlike other areas, those in palliative care were not focused on finding a cure.
It was the patient’s quality of life that took priority.
“As a doctor you see death everywhere,” she said.
“In a lot of areas within medicine, death is seen as a failure.
“But in palliative care …. we look at what is important for the patient and those close to them.”
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District’s director of palliative care service, Dr Greg Barclay, reiterated the importance of patients and their loved ones having a conversation about death.
“It’s never too early to think and talk about what you want,” he said.
“Talking about what matters most to you can help family members, as well as doctors providing your care, to really help you live the way you want right to the end.”