Advance care planning discussion at the Death Cafe by Allison Bartlett-Morley

The Death Café movement was started in 2011 by a couple of Brits (Jon Underwood and his mother Sue Barksy-Reid) in order to provide a space where people could discuss death, grief and loss and peoples’ experiences. Death Café.com describes the purpose as 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'. Death Cafes are happening in 93 countries, including many here in New Zealand. In fact, there is now an online Death Café for Death Café hosts.

In the past couple Death Cafes, (attended by many in the ‘twilight years of their lives’) has seen an interest in planning for the end of their life. One lady has been very proactive, currently in the process of creating her own shroud. Others are keen on reducing costs, in particularly around funerals, while others came along asking how they might plan for their death/funeral. We spoke of Advance Care Planning (ACP), and the benefits of considering how we might hope to be cared for at the end of our lives. Reflecting on what is important to us, what gives our lives meaning? Talking to loved ones and medical professionals about healthcare preferences making a plan, then documenting those wishes, which can then be shared with family and those involved in your healthcare. It is recommended the plan be regularly reviewed and altered as necessary.

These conversations are not easy, but they are worthwhile. I have heard people comment how completing an ACP has given them ‘peace of mind’, ‘helped them focus on living’. Health professionals are guided by peoples Advance Care Plans (It is worth noting that Advance Directives are legally binding and, in this way, differ from Advance Care Plans). As someone who has worked as a nurse in palliative care, I have seen the ACP, assist clinicians in providing the end-of-life care that was hoped for.  Whether that is the place of death, who is/is not present at the bedside, or the level of medication in regard to sedation, as well as care after death. By having a person’s wishes clearly documented, loved ones can be present without having to make decisions that might be hard or even cause conflict between family members. I consider an ACP to be the last gift someone can give to those they love.

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Come along to an Advance Care Planning workshop.

Saturday 9th November @ 12:30pm - 3:30pm at the Birkenhead Library.

Free event but REGISTRATION REQUIRED