Community members gathered at the Echuca library during Advance Care Planning Week.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
In honour of Advance Care Planning Week, local end-of-life doula Esther Guinea welcomed community members to two events in Rochester and Echuca.
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Held from Monday, March 16 to Sunday, March 22, the week encouraged Australians to discuss and document their future healthcare preferences in case they were unable to communicate their wishes.
Ms Guinea hosted intimate sessions where community members shared stories, asked questions and learned about the advance care planning process.
She said it was important to normalise having these tough but necessary conversations with loved ones.
“(People) think that others aren't thinking about these things and don't want to talk about it ... but people obviously are thinking about all this stuff and have lots of experiences to share,” she said.
“We should talk about it more because the more we talk about it, the more normal it becomes ... Everyone can say, ‘this is what I want’.”
Participants raised a range of questions, including how to plan ahead, Ms Guinea’s role in care planning, how advance care directives worked, and the role of family members in the process.
Many attendees were also interested in alternatives to traditional burials, such as shrouding and cremation.
Ms Guinea encouraged people to consider different ways of celebrating life, including a living wake, where loved ones can come together before a person’s death to say goodbye.
These gatherings can also give individuals the opportunity to share messages or meaningful items with family and friends.
Natasha Collins, Julia Hastilow, Holly Crump, Ebony Lind and John Oakley at the Rochester session.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Two lawyers from Dawes Vary and Riordan Lawyers attended the Rochester session to help explain the legal aspects of wills, advance care directives and related planning.
Echuca resident Sue Swelling was among those who attended the sessions, and said she was keen to hear others’ experiences and gain new ideas.
“I think people in our culture are a little bit afraid to discuss death and dying because they think if they discuss it, it might happen,” she said.
“In my generation, the kids weren't allowed to go to funerals so it was always scary or no-one talked about the person who died. All that sort of thing but it’s changing. It’s getting better.”
Ms Guinea emphasised that advance care planning was important for people of all ages, not just the elderly, as unexpected events could happen at any time.
She also encouraged people to share their plans with those closest to them to ensure their wishes were understood and respected
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