Ten tips to ‘die’ the way you want
Author and healthcare ethicist, Dr Sarah Winch, has provided 10 tips to take control of your death at a National Palliative Care Week launch event in Parliament House last week.
Author and healthcare ethicist, Dr Sarah Winch, shares her tips on how people can take control of their own death.
“We haven’t cured death; and we’re not likely to, so why don’t we plan for one of life’s certainties?” she said.
Dr Winch, author of the Best Death Possible: A Guide to Dying in Australia, shared tips to take control of your death, gathered from her personal experience in caring for her husband, who was confronted with terminal cancer.
“Dying shouldn’t be left to chance,” said Dr Winch. After a catastrophic diagnosis that leaves you feeling flattened and powerless – you can assume control.
“When we feel like all hope is gone a new hope emerges; a ‘good’ death according to our wishes and beliefs.
“Each and every Australian needs a plan to die – a plan that sets out what you want and guides your loved ones and health care professionals.”
In considering how you would like to spend your final days, weeks, months, Dr Winch encourages people to reflect on:
- What life means to them – Consider what quality of life means to you by writing a few sentences.
- What is important in your life, and how you would like to spend the precious time remaining.
- A good death – Write down what you consider a ‘good death’ would look like. What does ‘good’ mean to you?
- A ‘bucket list’ – Develop a list of things to do before you die, or a ‘reverse bucket list’ – things you never want to do again!
- Build a support crew – Identify two support teams who are dedicated to getting you to the end of your journey. One will be your healthcare support team, a range of health care professionals who will deliver a range of palliative care services, and the other will be your personal support team.
- Write down a care wish list – Consider the treatments you would like to continue and which you consider no longer worthwhile. These can change but give you and your team a direction. Your palliative care team can be the first port of call for any questions.
- Where you would like to be – Decide where you would like to receive palliative care services: Is it your home, a hospice, or hospital?
- The legalities – Research and understand the legal requirements for the state you live in. Get your affairs in order by completing an advance care plan and ensuring other planning and financial documents are up to date.
- Cultural and religious requirements – Incorporate the cultural or religious requirements that you would like to observe.
- Communicate! – Discuss your goals and plans with your loved ones and determine whether these are feasible in terms of support others can give. Identify whether you need to bring others on board. Palliative care professionals can care for both you and your family in times of need.
“Facing death is never easy. We have world class health and palliative care services available in Australia, but too often it feels like you’re uncovering a jigsaw puzzle with no picture. All the pieces are there, but you can’t see how it all comes together,” Dr Winch said.
“The most powerful thing we can do is make a clear plan that simply states our wishes to enable those caring for us to follow them through when the time comes.”
Create an advance care plan and start a conversation with loved ones and your medical professionals about what care you want.
