As we live our lives to the full, we also need to prepare for our healthcare needs in the future.
As the nation’s population ages, more individuals and their families are facing the complex challenges associated with the end of life.
This includes making decisions about healthcare, dealing with grief, and seeking bereavement support.
Advance care planning
Advance care planning is a process that allows individuals to make decisions about the healthcare they would want to receive if they become unable to speak for themselves.
This involves creating an Advance Care Directive (ACD), which includes details about a person’s values, life goals, and preferences for treatments.
It may also appoint a decision-maker, sometimes called a healthcare proxy, who can make decisions on behalf of the person if they are incapacitated.
Palliative care
Palliative care is specialised medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a disease, with the goal of improving quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Palliative care can be provided in various settings including hospitals, hospices, and at home, ensuring that the individual’s comfort and preferences are prioritised.
Living with grief
Grief is a natural response to loss, particularly the death of loved ones. Seniors may experience grief not only from the death of peers and spouses but also as they face their own mortality.
Understanding and managing grief is crucial for mental health.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s model, often referred to as the “stages of grief”, includes denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, grief is highly individual and can manifest in various ways that don’t necessarily follow a set order.
Strategies for coping
Coping strategies may include seeking support from friends, family, or professional counsellors.
Engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining social contacts, and pursuing hobbies and interests can also provide emotional relief and aid in processing grief.
Bereavement support
Governments and not-for-profit groups offer a variety of bereavement support services to help individuals cope with the loss of a loved one.
Numerous community groups and online forums provide platforms where individuals can share their experiences and feelings with others who have faced similar losses. These groups can offer understanding, compassion, and advice on navigating the emotional complexities of bereavement.
Professional counselling services are available and can be accessed through referrals from general practitioners or local health services. These services offer specialised support and therapy designed to help individuals understand and manage their grief.
Resources
Palliative Care Queensland: A member of Palliative Care Australia, this not-for-profit organisation offers a range of resources to help you navigate through uncertain and difficult times following a challenging diagnosis. W: palliativecareqld.org.au
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement: This service offers a guiding hand through the universal human experience of grief. W: www.grief.org.au P: 1800 642 066
Lifeline: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, having difficulty coping, or just need to talk. P: 13 11 14 W: lifeline.org.au