You only ‘die’ once – so plan ahead

The survey, released today, reports while 82% say it is important or ‘very important’ to have plans in place should anything unfortunate happen to them, the numbers who had actual plans in place fell far short of this mark.

Released to mark National Palliative Care Week, the online survey of more than 1,000 Australians who have recently lost a loved one, finds that just 5% of respondents have made an advance care plan.

Only one third are aware that an advance care plan sets out how someone would like to be cared for at the end of their life.

Australians aren’t just dropping the ball when it comes to advance care planning – numbers in all forms of planning – financial, legal, and even organ donation – were surprisingly low.

Of those who do have plans, only 59% say their plans reflect their circumstances, and one in three thought their loved ones wouldn’t have the information they would  need to carry out their wishes at the end of their life.

Dr Yvonne Luxford, PCA chief executive, says: “Let’s face it, you only die once – and you should be able to have quality end of life care. But your loved ones will need support and guidance to make this happen, and right now plans are falling far short of what’s needed.

“Facing the death of a loved one is incredibly difficult. We know that for most, the priority is doing what their loved ones would want. But without some sort of plan or even discussion, trying to figure this out makes a tough time even more difficult,” she adds.

According to Dr Luxford, the “kindest thing” you can do is make plans so your own wishes are met, and so those caring for you know what you want when your time comes.

Clearly, communication and information remains a barrier to Australians receiving end of life care that respects their values and choices. More than half of respondents feel they do not have enough information to carry out the wishes of a loved one who had recently died.

Overall two thirds of respondents feel confident/very confident that their loved ones would have enough information to carry out their wishes at the end of their life.

“Australians are failing to talk about the health care they want at the end of their life,” Dr Luxford says.

“Less than half have spoken with their partner; only one in four has spoken with their children; and one in 10 has spoken with their GP. This lack of conversation and discussion is likely to impact the choice and quality of end of life care for Australians.

“Only one in two respondents indicated that their loved one was able to be cared for in the place of their choice at the end of their life, with half dying in a hospital and one in four dying at home.”

The fact is, according to Dr Luxford, that palliative care is “everyone’s business” – there’s a role for partners, parents, children, friends and family, and the medical community to start discussions on how they would like to spend their end of life.

This year, National Palliative Care Week activities will shine a light on the Australian medical professionals – general practitioners, medical specialists, allied health professionals and nurses – who give their time to palliative care to ensure quality care at the end of life for all.

“These staff are the unsung heroes; assisting Australians and their families through one the most difficult moments in our lives to enhance quality of life and ensure people can die the way they want,” Dr Luxford says.

“Talk to your loved ones about what you’d want, speak to your GP. Visit the PCA website at www.palliativecare.org.au, download and complete an advance care plan. Make sure your details are up to date. After all, you only die once (#YODO), so you might as well have your say in it.”