What is it like to know you are dying?
How do you live once you know that you’re dying? How do people handle a terminal diagnosis? Can doctors predict when someone with a life-limiting illness will die? In this episode, we tackle some of the hardest and most persistent questions about death and dying.To help us answer them, our host Lauren is joined by Avalon, Clinical State Lead for the Specialist Palliative Rural Telehealth service. She walks us through the meaning of language like: 'life-limiting illness', 'prognosis' and 'terminal diagnosis', and shares what it’s like to tell someone they’re dying and how people respond to the news.Senior Social Worker Laurelle explains how she supports people and their families as they grapple with the reality of a terminal diagnosis. Then, paramedic and Ambulance Wish Queensland volunteer, Sue, shares what she’s learned about how to live, from helping dying people fulfil their final wishes. Finally, we’re joined by Eva, a Queensland woman living with a terminal diagnosis, who shares her experience of living while knowing that she’s dying.If you’ve ever spent a sleepless night worrying about how you’d cope with a scary diagnosis, not known what to say when someone told you their disease was terminal or wondered how healthcare workers cope with delivering a life-limiting diagnosis, this episode is for you.Resources:Talking about death and dying can bring up challenging emotions. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental wellbeing, support is available:Lifeline: call 13 11 14 (24 hours a day) if you are experiencing a personal crisis or chat to a counsellor online.Beyond Blue: call 1300 22 4636 for broad mental wellbeing support or speak to a counsellor online.Griefline: call 1300 845 745 (9am–6pm, Monday - Friday, 12 noon–6pm weekends).PalAssist has general information and advice about palliative care services in Queensland. Call 1800 772 273 (free for Queensland residents) or chat online (from 7am to 7pm, 7 days).In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).The following services were discussed in the episode or can provide additional information and resources:Care at the end of life is a campaign and resource hub for Queenslanders with information about advance care planning and support for patients, carers and families.The Statewide Office of Advance Care Planning offers free advance care planning information and support for patients, families, carers, and health professionals. Phone: 1300 007 227 or email: [email protected] Wish Queensland, the signature program of Palliative Care Queensland, has been helping palliative patients fulfil last wishes since 2018. Wish requests can be made on their website.The Metro North Health Death Café is held regularly throughout the year at Brighton Wellness Hub.Apply for aged care services first by applying for an assessment. You can do this through your GP or local health service, online at the My Aged Care website, by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, in-person with an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia office.Any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who is 50 and over can access the Elder Care Support program. The program provides support workers who can give you information about aged care and guide you through the process of accessing services.Support is provided for infants, children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their parents, siblings, grandparents, school and community. Learn more via Children’s Health Queensland’s Paediatric Palliative Care Service, reach out to the Children's Health Queensland Bereavement Service via phone: 1800 080 316 or email: [email protected] and rural patients, and their families, can access specialist palliative care services via telehealth. A referral is required from your GP, oncologist, other specialist or community nurse. Care is delivered by Specialist Palliative Rural Telehealth service (SPaRTa).Seniors Enquiry Line is a free, statewide information and referral service for Queensland seniors, families, friends, grandparents and carers. Phone: 1300 135 500 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.Voluntary assisted dying is one of several choices a person may have at the end of their life. It is important to discuss all options with your doctor. QVAD-Support provides advice and support to Queenslanders. Phone: 1800 431 371 or email: [email protected]:The stories and conversations shared by everyone in this podcast reflect their personal views, experiences and opinions. They are shared for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Queensland Health does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the views expressed by guests and accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage that may result from relying on this content.If you have questions about your health or treatment, please speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
