End of life forum for Lorne

LORNE Community Hospital has organised an end of life forum designed to share information, which will be held in Lorne next week.

The hospital has gathered experts on palliative care, advance care planning, wills, powers of attorneys and funerals, among others, to speak at the forum.

The event aims to remove taboos, normalise dying, reduce people’s fears and ensure that no one feels like they are or will be a burden to others. The hospital will promote wellbeing, planning ahead, being prepared and getting support. The forum is particularly timely, given the state government’s recent introduction of legislation to allow voluntary assisted dying in Victoria.

According to the federal government’s My Aged Care website, there are many different types of aged care services that can offer assistance for older people and their families and carers, whether at home or while in an aged care home. If you are caring for someone who is approaching the end of their life, there are ways you can help them feel as comfortable as possible during this stage. This may include providing emotional, social, cultural and spiritual support to both the person and the people around them, such as their family and carers. Being a carer can be challenging, but as a loved one moves towards the end of their life, the emotional and physical stress and challenge can increase. There are services for carers that can provide additional assistance, such as counselling or respite care.

The end of life forum will be held at Lorne Community House on Thursday November 2 from 3.30-6pm. Phone the LCH community team on 5289 4316.