Canowindra Dying To Know Day

Dying To Know Day is a nationally recog­nised annual event designed to encourage and normalise open conversations about death and dying, and grief. It aims to des­tigmatise discussions about end of life mat­ters, promote death literacy, and encourage people to share their final wishes with their loved ones.

The campaign also aims to empower in­dividuals to make informed decisions about their end of life care and planning.

On Wednesday 13 August, 60 people gathered at the Canowindra Bowling Club to listen to guest speakers, ask questions and start their journeys to having conversations about their end of life wishes.

The event was orangised by local Canow­indra Community Health nurse Ann Jones, with the assistance of former local Hayden Welsh Integration Officer Aged and Pallia­tive Care from the Western NSW Primary Health Network. Attendees heard from local Pharmacist Vicki Grant and Solicitor Geoff Yeo, as well as Western NSW Local Health District’s Palliative Care Team and the Vol­untary Assisted Dying Service Manager.

Serena Chapman a Carer Coach for Live Better, whose role encompasses that of a death doula, spoke of how a death doula can support a persons end of life journey and Mim Loomes also took the floor with valuable information available through Cen­trelink.

Those in attendance had a myriad of questions about Advance Care Directives and the role of Enduring Powers of Attorney and Enduring Guardians being in situ before end of life.

Canowindra Community Health would like to thank all guest speakers, the Canowindra Bowling Club and everyone who attended the session for their active roles on the day.

If people have any further questions about a palliative approach to care, end of life care or death and dying please contact the health centre for support.