Describing a good death
At our Dying Well community forum we asked everyone – attendees and panel members – to describe a good death in 3 words.
Responses were written on post-it notes and displayed on boards – some of which you can see below. And they were really interesting – showing both the commonality in our thinking as well as our differences. Three themes emerged from all those colourful post-its:
- Choice and control – Many people talked about my choice, my way, my options, having control over decisions.
- Peace, lack of pain and feeling safe.
- People, love and being surrounded.
One of the answers really stood out as meaningful in the context of our current consumer awareness campaign on Advance Care Planning called You only die once. And that was “I am ready”. We couldn’t agree more!
We were extremely fortunate to have a world renown panel who were in Perth for the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference, as well as the always wonderful Di Darmody leading the discussion. Thank you to Dr Christian Ntizimira from Rwanda, Greg Adams from the USA and Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates from Queensland. Feedback on the panel and the discussion was excellent with the audience valuing hearing about international perspectives on palliative care and dying well.
Thank you also to Marie Taylor who provided the really beautiful Welcome to Country as well as some cultural perspectives on dying.
We are extremely grateful to our benefactor who allowed us to be able to offer Dying Well as a free event.
Coming events
View allNews and updates
View allHear all about Jean Kittson’s story as part of National Palliative Care Week 2025
If you didn’t get a chance to hear Jean Kittson’s interview on ABC Radio Perth as part of National Palliative Care Week 2025, please click on the link below. The…
Conversations inspire and challenge at annual National Palliative Care sector breakfast 2025
It was wonderful to see so many attendees at this year’s Annual Sector Breakfast to celebrate National Palliative Care Week 2025. Special thanks go our guest speakers, Jean Kitson AM,…
Planning for a ‘good death’ with help from the ACP Support Service
Ian and Annette spent 53 years full of memories, family, and adventures across six continents, from Antarctica’s frozen expanse to timeworn charm of France. But when Ian was diagnosed with…
National Palliative Care Week 2025 starts today!
Today marks the start of National Palliative Care Week 2025. This year’s theme is ‘What’s your plan?’ which challenges and inspires a range of conversations. For individuals and families –…
Do you have questions about palliative care, voluntary assisted dying, or grief and bereavement?
Do you have questions about palliative care, voluntary assisted dying, or grief and bereavement? A discussion on Friday 16 May from 10am to 11.30am that starts with the novel, Acacia…
March CEO Roundtable for Palliative Care Communique now available
At our 19 March CEO Roundtable for Palliative Care meeting, 22 representatives from organisations with an interest in palliative care met to discuss latest developments in palliative care in the…
CEO Roundtable for Palliative Care meets to discuss two Acts
At our March CEO Roundtable for Palliative Care meeting, 22 representatives from organisations with an interest in palliative care met to discuss latest developments in palliative care in the State….
National Palliative Care Week 2025 – What’s your plan?
Our annual awareness raising campaign, National Palliative Care Week 2025 from 11 to 17 May is fast approaching. This year the theme is ‘What’s your plan?’ which aligns perfectly with…
Join us for a breakfast conversation with Jean Kittson and Garth Wolfenden
We are pleased to announce that much-loved Australian actor and comedian Jean Kittson AM, and Wheatbelt Specialist Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Garth Wolfenden will be guest speakers at our annual…
ACP Support Service reintroduced – four options available to WA community members
The Advance Care Planning Support Service (ACPSS) has been reintroduced as a trial thanks to funding from the WA Department of Health. The Palliative Care WA service is currently running…
Have you attended an ACP workshop and need further help?
Have you completed one of our Advance Care Planning (ACP) workshops and want assistance with completing your Advance Health Directive and other documentation? If yes, our new ACP Support Service…
Palliative care booklets – invaluable source of information
Copies of our Palliative Caring booklet and the companion booklet called My Palliative Care are proving to be an invaluable source of information for the WA community. These free WA-specific resources have…