Eurobodalla Council is partnering with La Trobe University and Palliative Care NSW to explore how the end-of-life experience for residents can be improved.
The Council is one of the first local governments to partner with La Trobe on its Healthy End of Life Project, which gathers evidence to inform palliative care and ultimately looks to shift community culture around death and dying.
Eurobodalla Council’s community care service manager Sally Pryor said talking about death and dying, and asking for support, could be challenging for many.
“Early La Trobe research found that people caring for someone approaching the end of their life did not often ask for help from friends and family, and when help was offered, they did not or were reluctant to accept,” she said.
“People didn’t want to ‘be a burden’ and thought that death and dying was a ‘private matter’ and that ‘needing support’ could be perceived as ‘not coping’.
“This needs to change, but first we need to find out what information and services already exist in the shire, understand what a healthy end of life looks like for our community; and also raise community awareness around this important phase of our lives.”
While this stage of the project explores what exists and future opportunities, Council is offering three free community sessions during National Palliative Care Week to start the conversation.
Presented by Carolyn Vaughan from La Trobe University’s School of Psychology and Public Health at Moruya’s Mechanics Institute, the sessions suit agencies and residents who want to better understand how palliative care fits into end of life, whether they need now or might in the future.
Tuesday 24 May, 10am-12pm - What is Palliative Care?
Tuesday 24 May, 1-3pm - Create comfort for your loved one
Wednesday 25 May, 10am-12pm - My Collaborative Care Plan
Bookings through Eventbrite are essential. An online survey is available for those unable to attend the workshops but who wish to have input into the broader project.
For more information about the Healthy End of Life Project, including the online survey, visit https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/council/major-projects/current-projects/planning-recreation-business/healthy-end-of-life-project
