Bellarine Community Health (BCH), as part of Palliative Care Week, wanted to challenge the community to begin a conversation about death, to think about their future and how they want to be cared for.
Palliative Care Week runs from May 11 to 17 this year and aims to raise awareness about palliative care, advocate for quality services, and ensure accessibility for all Australians.
“We are incredibly proud to say that BCH supports more than two-thirds of clients to die in their preferred place, with nearly 55 percent dying in their own homes,” BCH executive director of adult and aged services Karen Laing said.
“This figure is significantly higher than the Australian average of 15 percent and shows the growing need in our community for palliative care support.”
The BCH specialist palliative care team is made up of four specialist nurses and a social worker supported by a specialist medical officer and visiting clinical nurse consultant from Barwon Health.
The team, working alongside the BCH Community Nurses, provide 24/7 care and support for up to 70 people with a life-limiting illness/condition in their homes at any one time.
BCH has also partnered with volunteer group Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine to run a bereavement group. The group has a coffee catch up and a walking group each month where people who have lost a loved one can develop connections to help reduce loneliness and discuss their grief in a safe environment.
The BCH palliative care team will also be conducting an information session at the BCH Ageing Well Hub in Drysdale on Thursday May 29 from 10am.
