Navigating the end-of-life journey with dignity and choice

Honouring Life Education is here to support you, whether you're planning for yourself, a loved one, or someone you care for.

Discover the clarity and options available during this significant phase of life.

Understanding end-of-life care and palliative support

For many, the terms "end-of-life" and "palliative care" can be confusing.

End-of-life care includes physical, spiritual, and psychosocial assessment, care and treatment delivered by health professionals and ancillary staff. It also includes support of families and carers, and care of the patient’s body after their death.

People approaching the end of life, who are likely to die within the next 12 months. This includes people whose death is imminent (expected within a few hours or days) and those with:

  • advanced, progressive, incurable conditions
  • general frailty and co-existing conditions that mean that they are expected to die within 12 months
  • existing conditions, if they are at risk of dying from a sudden acute crisis in their condition
  • life-threatening acute conditions resulting from sudden, tragic events.

Palliative care is healthcare that focuses on improving the quality of life and care for people with a life-limiting illness and their families.

It includes:

  • the prevention and relief of suffering

  • communication about goals of care

  • the early identification, assessment and treatment of physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual symptoms.

 and care in hospital or residential aged care facilities.

Preparing for End-of-life

Discussing the end of life is not easy. People sometimes think preparing for end-of-life means they are giving in to their illness or that they are speeding up the process, and things will happen faster.

Others worry that preparing for end-of-life is reducing or diminishing even hope and leaves them feeling overwhelmed, sad, and depressed.

However, exploring your wishes and sharing them with people important to you can help everyone. Create a sense of comfort, control, and peace of mind over what the future might hold and how it could progress. 

You may have heard the saying, ‘hope for the best, and plan for the rest’. Once you allow yourself to consider your end of life and make some initial plans, you can return to the ‘hope for the best’ pathway and continue to live your life to the full.

The rest include things like 

  • Documents outlining your health and legacy wishes. 
  • Funeral and celebration of life. 
  • Navigating changes and the inevitable. 

Your options for care at home

For many people, palliative care is provided in their home. 'Home' could mean the house you live in, or another place that has personal, cultural or spiritual significance.

Whether you stay at home while having palliative care depends on several factors including:

  • the level of care required for your illness or condition
  • your home environment
  • how much support you have from family, carers or community
  • whether someone is at home to care for you.

If you want to stay at home, you may be able to get assistance from family members or you could hire a caregiver to help with day-to-day activities such as bathing, cooking and cleaning.

Palliative care services can help with accessing community nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and social work. Your GP can also refer you and your family to the right services.

Making last memories

There are many resources available to help, support and enable an easier transition.  

You might wish to make the most of what time and capacity you have.  

  • Bucket list adventures, 
  • Ensure your legal and legacy documents are in order. 
  • Reaching out to significant people, or those who you haven't seen for some time. 
  • Make amends, reconcile, and forgive to create peace with yourself
  • Creating lasting memories through letters, video, art, gifting, and conversations