The Advocate, by Steven Polleti
Choosing a film to highlight the importance of palliative care as part of National Palliative Care Week was a contextual decision according to Palliative Care Tasmania acting CEO Venéy Hiller.
“Death and dying are traditionally really hard things for people to talk about and they just don’t want to engage in it,” she said.
“The idea behind the film was to really showcase people’s stories, get the conversation started, and get people to understand that end of life planning and decisions [are important].
“When you tell a story and you show people’s real scenarios and situations, it really gives that context.
“It’s really important to show different people’s stories as well and the film goes through several people’s stories and their experiences of end of life.”
Nurse unit manager at Specialist Palliative Care Services North-West Jon DeLaine, will be speaking after the screening as part of a panel discussion with an audience question and answer element.
“Part of this year’s palliative care week is about people at the heart so it’s an opportunity to talk about stories and encourage people to tell theirs as well,” he said.
The stigma and misunderstanding around palliative care is something that Mr DeLaine hopes will be lessened by Wednesday’s event.
“During palliative care, we support you through end of life care but it can be anywhere along that journey to support, provide answers, and help you live the best life you can.”
Mrs Hiller noted that palliative care is not just from the moment you are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness through to death, it is also about what happens next.
“It’s also about bereavement afterwards. Palliative care is not only for the patient, it’s for their family, their caregivers, their chosen family and loved ones as well.
“It’s also about bereavement afterwards. Palliative care is not only for the patient, it’s for their family, their caregivers, their chosen family and loved ones as well.