End of Life Planning

​✋If this topic makes you want to scroll on, resist the urge! 🛑 Many of us think that talking about death is scary, taboo, weird or morbid. We’d rather avoid the topic. 😫

🥰 But planning for our future can be empowering, reducing anxiety and bringing us closer together. It’s important to talk about what you want at the end of life with those closest to you.  

🤓We’re not very good at talking about dying in Australia. Only 53% of Australians feel able to talk to another family member about the end of life. We all have a responsibility to make sure our loved ones know our wishes. 💐 We don’t have to (in fact, we shouldn’t) wait for a crisis. And you don’t have to be old to talk about dying either! 🛹🚲😎

😔Many people die in hospital in ways that they wouldn’t choose. Between 60-70% of Australians would prefer to die at home but only about 14% do.

Families are often faced with difficult decisions at the end of life, but this is made easier with a few simple steps on your part, including:
🔹Writing a will
🔹Appointing a Power of Attorney
🔹Appointing an Enduring Guardian

👩‍💼You can use a lawyer to help you with this or use the NSW Trustee and Guardian (this is free if you receive a Full Centrelink Age Pension). You can also think about creating an advanced care directive, registering as an organ donor and planning your funeral.

🗣Take the plunge and start your conversation about death today! Once you cut through the first awkward moments, it can be fun, funny and save your loved ones a whole lot of grief and distress.

🚑This is how I started mine the other night: ‘I accidentally hit a possum on the way home and it got me thinking about what would happen if I didn’t make it home for dinner...’ (I was actually really devoed about the possum 😭🐾🥺)

Would love to hear how you plan to start your conversation! 👇👇👇

@groundswellaus @yourgoodbye @letterofwishes @palliativecarensw

Websites: dyingtotalk.org.au, deathoverdinner.org.au, tag.nsw.gov.au