Change is Happening.

Progress, no matter how slow or small, is still progress.  Sometimes, a slower pace makes it easier for people to adjust to changes.  However, we also know that life doesn't seem to slow down.  Life challenges do not stop the world and its demands around us. 

We live it, feel it, and through our work observe the everyday challenges clients, colleagues, and families experience when bodies and circumstances seem to have other agendas.  It is times like these that community and compassion are needed more than ever.  

Through observation, research and discussions over the past few years, I have been blessed to witness the elder and death care space with new eyes.  My health care journey started years ago as a dietitian, very much in the proactive, wellness space, advocating for early detection, intervention, and positive changes for all clients, but even then, the majority were older and members of the Defence force.  

What I have noticed over the 20-odd years is the much greater emphasis on supportive collaboration with the client, advocating their autonomy, dignity, and voice. How this has happened, I am sure, could be debated among the now-older generation, being more comfortable making decisions, valuing their independence, and the voice their era gave them during the middle adult years. 

The economic and social individualisation that occurred is mirrored in previous governance and health management across all sectors. The notion of 'strike out and set the world on fire'. Leaving others in your wake, including family, connections, and colleagues, may have made managerial and economic sense in the era, but the social cost of increased isolation, decreased community connection, and the networks needed for mental, emotional, and physical well-being has become evident. 

There is another shift happening, one towards peer support, acknowledging lived experience, alongside greater movement for self-empowered ownership of health, honouring one's experiences, wellbeing, and level of care.  The new Aged Care Reform aligns with this movement.  In theory, give people the power, even if the systems are not yet available to fully enable its intent. 

This too is changing, from design and by need.  There is an increased social need for community and for being more engaged.

While there are many aspects that need addressing, including isolation, economic, workforce, time, resource and support gaps.  There is a driving need for the general public to again become familiar with communal, social healthcare practices. Supporting each other, being there, gifting and being of service in meaningful, practical ways.

This is happening. 

• We are increasing death literacy, advanced care planning, doulas, and death care at home, and social awareness campaigns.

• Compassionate communities with peer-to-peer support, neighbourhood engagement projects, and support for a wide range of health conditions. 

• Encouraging friends and family to be more involved with the likes of Gather My Crew and Care at Home is starting to loosen the grip of the Western business model's independence and 'I am an island' mindset. 

• So many other ways and projects are afoot.

The evidence is building: collectively within the health and care systems, we are creating pathways to engage, enable, and support individuals as micro-ecosystem units, acknowledging that impact extends well beyond the person who is unwell. Family, health care professionals, extended care supports, friends' community and the ripple effect into the wider community. 

Why does this matter?  Wellness is the expression of a healthy mind, body and spirit, from pre-conception through to after-death's continuum.  We are all part of the ecosystem through our thoughts, actions, deeds and intents.  Supporting the wider ecosystem creates a safer environment for microsystems to function more easily, effectively, and efficiently.  Collectively, for the individual, and individually for the collective. 

The evidence is out there; join the movements, share them with colleagues, friends, peers and agitators. Change starts from within, our thoughts, voice and actions into the world, as a response, and a calling.