By Jena Carr
The Bellarine community celebrated National Palliative Care Week through discussions and by encouraging actions around end-of-life planning.
The annual initiative was held last week, May 21 to 27, and the Orange Heart symbol was launched for the palliative care sector.
Bellarine Community Health (BCH) Point Lonsdale nurse manager Jacob Miller said it was “extremely important” for people to understand palliative care better.
“Palliative care is so much more than just ‘end of life care’, it aims to improve someone’s quality of life, to help them live well when they have a life limiting illness,” he said.
“The orange heart is used to symbolise the warmth and connection between health care workers and their patients and their families. It’s a symbol of support and the bond established throughout the palliative care journey.”
Mr Miller said palliative care was about “symptom management, emotional support, connectiveness and holistic care”.
BCH palliative care nurse Victoria Durbidge said the “unpredictable nature of death and dying” required the palliative care team to manage complex situations.
“The rewards of palliative care nursing are substantial, encompassing the deep human connection with patients and their families and building trust-based relationships,” she said.
“(While also) maintaining realistic hope, respecting patient choices, alleviating or improving symptoms, and providing the privilege of being present with someone in their final moments.”
BCH acting chief executive Kathy Russell said research found a 50 per cent growth in demand across the country for palliative care over the past 10 years.
“Funding for palliative care is based on population, however the population data in the model has not been updated since 2017,” she said.
Medical professionals and local palliative care teams can provide more information about palliative care.
