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At the launch of National Palliative Care Week, Dr Sarah Winch shared 10 tips to take control of your death, gathered from personal experience.
鈥淲e haven鈥檛 cured death; and we鈥檙e not likely to, so why don鈥檛 we plan for one of life鈥檚 certainties?鈥� Dr Sarah聽Winch said.
As author of A Guide to Dying in Australia, Dr Winch shared her tips, gathered from personal experience in s聽caring for her husband, who was confronted with 聽terminal cancer.
鈥淒ying shouldn鈥檛 be left to chance,鈥� said Dr Winch. After a catastrophic diagnosis that leaves you feeling
flattened and powerless 鈥� you can assume control. 聽鈥淲hen we feel like all hope is gone a new hope emerges; a 鈥榞ood鈥� death according to our wishes and beliefs.
鈥淓ach and every Australian needs a plan to die 鈥� a plan that sets out what you want and guides your loved
ones and health care professionals.鈥�
In considering how you would like to spend your final days, weeks, months, reflect on:
1. What does life mean to me 鈥� Consider what quality of life means to you by writing a few sentences on
what is important in your life, and how you would like to spend the precious time remaining.
2. A good death 鈥� Write down what you consider a 鈥榞ood death鈥� would look like. What does 鈥榞ood鈥� mean to
you?
3. A 鈥榖ucket list鈥� 鈥� Develop a list of things to do before you die, or a 鈥榬everse bucket list鈥� 鈥� things you never
want to do again!
4. Build a support crew 鈥� Identify two support teams who are dedicated to getting you to the end of your
journey. One will be your healthcare support team, a range of health care professionals who will deliver a
range of palliative care services, and the other will be your personal support team.
5. Write down a care wish list 鈥� Consider the treatments you would like to continue and which you consider
no longer worthwhile. These can change but give you and your team a direction. Your palliative care team
can be the first port of call for any questions.
6. Where you would like to be 鈥� Decide where you would like to receive palliative care services: Is it your
home, a hospice, or hospital? 2
7. The legalities 鈥� Research and understand the legal requirements for the state you live in. Get your affairs
in order by completing an advance care plan and ensuring other planning and financial documents are up
to date.
8. Cultural and religious requirements 鈥� Incorporate the cultural or religious requirements that you would
like to observe.
9. Communicate! 鈥� Discuss you goals and plans with your loved ones and determine whether these are
feasible in terms of support others can give. Identify whether you need to bring others on board. Palliative
care professionals can care for both you and your family in times of need.
10. Knowing what you want and how to get it will help you resolve care or treatment issues that cause you
concern.
鈥淔acing death is never easy. We have world class health and palliative care services available in Australia, but
too often it feels like you鈥檙e uncovering a jigsaw puzzle with no picture. All the pieces are there, but you can鈥檛
see how it all comes together,鈥� said Dr Winch.
鈥淭he most powerful thing we can do is make a clear plan that simply states our wishes to enable those caring
for us to follow them through when the time comes.鈥�
During National Palliative Care Week, Palliative Care Australia encourages Australians to start thinking about
how you want to face your end of life when the time comes.
1. Create an advance care plan by visiting www.palliativecare.org.au/advancecareplanning; and
2. Start and conversation with loved ones and your medical professionals about what the care you want