Campaign puts focus on palliative care
We all need to have a conversation about how we want to live before we die.
National Palliative Care Week, from 19 May to 25 May, is Australia’s largest annual initiative aimed at deepening people’s understanding of palliative care and encouraging action around end-of-life planning.
While it’s not a subject many people enjoy talking about, death is inevitable and planning for it is important.
“As our population ages and levels of chronic disease increase, so does the demand for palliative care,” said Camilla Rowland, CEO of Palliative Care Australia (PCA).
“Our research points to a 50% surge in demand over this decade, doubling by 2050. This alarming data underscores the urgent need for us to proactively address the growing needs of Australians.
“Health reforms over the last couple of years are a good start, but we need both the government and the community to go further if we are to deliver on what is a human right.”
Ms Rowland said this year’s campaign will highlight the holistic nature of the palliative care that should be available to all Australians.
A series of videos will capture the powerful voices of the broader workforce, First Nations perspectives, and people with personal experiences of palliative care.
“National Palliative Care Week is an opportunity to open minds and hearts to the profound human spirit that drives palliative care and unlock the knowledge that comes when people and families are challenged by a life-limiting diagnosis that talks about death and dying.”
PCA’s most recent National Palliative Care Community Survey revealed that 90% of Australians believe end-of-life planning is important, but only 40% of people have done anything about it.
Palliative Care nurse practitioner, Peter Jenkin said, “People are death denying. We don’t want to talk about it because we are worried it will tempt fate, and I think there is a sense of, ‘it’s going to happen to someone else, not me’.”
National Palliative Care Week is designed to confront those fears and empower people to have greater control when it comes to matters of life and death.
This year will also see the official launch of a new symbol for the palliative care sector, the “Orange Heart”.
Ms Rowland said the heart was a symbol of care and friendship.
“It is seen as being heart-warming and encouraging and used as a symbol of ‘always being there for me’ – values that connect with palliative care,” she said.
“We are encouraging everyone to buy and wear an orange heart lapel pin as a show of support for the people and families receiving palliative care and those who deliver it.”
Orange heart lapel pins will be available for purchase at local events around the country and from the PCA website.
Funds raised will support advocacy and policy initiatives that help deliver palliative care to more Australians.
