Last Days workshops

COORDINARE engaged HammondCare to deliver their Last Days foundational and dementia workshops to equip people with practical knowledge and tools including; the role of palliative care, what to expect as we approach the end of our lives, what a death with dignity may look like and the choices we have. 

Local community members joined free online and face to face Last Days workshops in Bega, Queanbeyan, Shellharbour and Ulladulla to help them navigate the last days of someone they care for.

Post-event evaluations showed high satisfaction and increased confidence in supporting individuals at the end of life:

100%

of participants felt more confident supporting individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

97.2%

gained understanding of physical symptoms and how to manage them non-pharmacologically.

97%

felt more prepared to start conversations about final wishes.

100%

stated they have a new understanding of what palliative care is.

I feel I have closure now, for 12 months I have felt guilt and burden in that I should have done more to relieve my husband’s suffering but after today’s workshop I have gained an understanding of the dying process and now know that my husband wasn’t suffering in his final days / hours.

Workshop participant

Knowing that palliative care isn't just for end-of-life care. Understanding the natural processes that occur when you are actively dying, how to provide comfort to the dying person and understanding that physical symptoms are natural and not frightening. Having a tool and further resources for creating care plans for myself and my friends and family. Knowing that I have alternative options.

Workshop participant

The information provided about the topics; the resources provided to those who attended, and the supportive environment made it easier to listen, learn and participate.

Workshop participant

It concreted in me the feeling that we need to talk about death and dying much more - the facilitator was brilliant - death is not a morbid subject and she was able to get this over to us all.

Workshop participant