Dying matters – your small actions can make a big difference

Palliative and end of life care is everybody’s business and to mark ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’ (14-20 May 2012) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly about dying, death and bereavement with those closest to them.

Research has found that many people have specific wishes about their end of life care or what they would like to happen after their death, but that a reluctance to discuss these issues makes it much less likely that these will be met – 70% of people would prefer to die at home but more than half currently die in hospital.

The theme of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2012 is ‘Small Actions, Big Difference’. The week is aimed at encouraging individuals and organisations to take simple steps that can make a big difference to people when they are dying or bereaved. Whether it is through sharing their wishes with someone close, registering to become an organ donor, writing a will, taking out a funeral plan or making an effort to speak to someone who has been recently bereaved.

Mary Hinds, Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, PHA, and Chair of the Implementation Group responsible for overseeing the regional Living Matters, Dying Matters Strategy, said: “Many of us have specific wishes about how and where we would like to die and what we would like to happen after our death. However a lack of conversation often means people’s wishes go ignored or unfulfilled. If we do not know how to communicate what we want, and those around us do not know, it is almost impossible to express a clear choice.

“There may be important matters you want to address now rather than when time feels limited. Everyone should take the time to think ahead and consider your personal choices, talk to other people, including healthcare professionals and then tell key people, including family, of your decisions.

“Talking about dying, death and bereavement is in everyone’s interests as it can help ensure that all of us can get the care and support we want, where we want it at the end of our lives. Through being more confident in talking about dying and taking small actions to plan for the future and support each other, together we can make a big difference. Talking about death does not bring it any closer. It is about planning for life.”

Health Minister Edwin Poots said: “Good palliative and end of life care is an important part of our health and social care services.  At the centre of my Department’s Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy “Living Matters: Dying Matters” is a person-centred approach to care that allows people to retain control, dignity and choice in how and where their care is provided to end of life. Open and honest discussion about death and dying – both within our society and at an individual level with our families and loved ones – can ensure that our wishes for end of life are known and respected and can support those we love through bereavement.”