A key element of ageing well is dying well. But many Australians feel ill-equipped for the conversations needed to prepare for their final years, and ensure loved ones are ready for the future. This Dying to Know Day on Tuesday 8 August, I’m joining with Kylea Tink MP, Jill Nash, Danni Petkovic and others, to talk about dying, death, grief, and how to create conversations around this important topic that impacts us all.
You’ll hear from clinical nurse practitioners in the palliative care space, death doulas, lawyers, grief educators and every day people, who are passionate about educating others about what lies ahead so people can have a good death.
Topics to be covered include:
- The importance of talking about death, dying and grief
- Different perspectives on end of life planning
- What happens when someone’s dying and options for a good death
- Information and reflections on grief
There will also be an expo full of useful information and takeaways from organisations such as CareSearch, Royal North Shore Hospital’s palliative care unit, and the Good Death Impact Network. You’ll also be able to speak one-on-one to experts such as author of “A Good Death: a compassionate and pracitcal guide to prepare for the end of life, Margaret Rice, and Volunteer Coordinator at Concord Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit Jacqueline Martinez, as well as all the amazing speakers – Jill Nash, Danni Petkovic, Dennis van Someren, Alice Mantel, Berna Poljak, Caitlyn Macdonagh, and me – Carers’ Circle Founder, Michelle Chaperon.
Date: Thursday 8 August, 2024
Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm (drop in for a session or stay for the whole event)
Venue: Dougherty Centre, 7 Victor Ave Chatswood
Limited disabled parking is available. More parking is available at Westfield Chatswood across the street. The venue is a five-minute walk from Chatswood train station.
Hearing Loop is available for this event.
This free community seminar is hosted by Kylea Tink, Independent Federal Member for North Sydney, in collaboration with Carers Circle. It is part of a series of seminars on topics relevant to ageing well.
To register for this free event – go to https://www.kyleatink.com.au/ageing-well or call Kylea’s office on 9929 9822.
For those of you not in Sydney, don’t worry, we’ll be writing up the sessions for articles right here on Carers’ Circle.
Some useful links:
Carers’ Circle on palliative care – living well while dying – https://carerscircle.com.au/2023/05/21/palliative-care-living-well-while-dying/
Carers’ Circle on 10 questions to ask about palliative care in residential aged care – https://carerscircle.com.au/2023/02/18/10-questions-to-ask-about-palliative-care-in-residential-aged-care/
Carers’ Circle on organ and tissue donation – get the facts and save lives – https://carerscircle.com.au/2023/07/15/organ-and-tissue-donation-get-the-facts-and-save-lives/
Carers’ Circle on guide to death processes – what happens when someone dies? – https://carerscircle.com.au/2022/03/16/death-processes/
Carers’ Circle on a real death: what can you expect during a loved one’s final hours? – https://carerscircle.com.au/2021/08/08/a-real-death-what-can-you-expect-during-a-loved-ones-final-hours/
Photo credit: Cheerful elderly woman speaking on a microphone in a seminar on RawPixel.
Death, dying and grief seminar and expo agenda
10.00am – 10.05am Welcome
Kylea Tink MP
10.05am – 10.15am The importance of talking about death, dying and grief
Danni Petkovic, End of life guide (Death Doula)
10.15am – 11.15am Different perspectives on end of life planning (panel discussion)
Jill Nash, dying well advocate – Getting organised for the sake of her family
Michelle Chaperon, Founder of Carers’ Circle – What it’s like as the daughter of someone dying
Dennis van Someren, retired businessman – helping friends after their partners have died
Alice Mantel, Lawyer and author – what can happen when you aren’t organised.
Moderated by Danni Petkovic, Liminal Being
Includes Q&A session
11.15am – 11.35am Coffee break and expo
Opportunity to mingle with speakers and obtain info from the expo
11.35am – 12.35pm What happens when someone’s dying – options for a good death (panel discussion)
Caitlyn Macdonagh, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Palliative Care, Royal North Shore Hospital
Danni Petkovic, End of life guide (Death Doula)
Berna Poljak, Death and Grief educator
Moderated by Michelle Chaperon, Carers’ Circle
Includes Q&A session
12.35pm – 1.05pm Lunch break and expo
Opportunity to mingle with speakers and obtain info from the expo
1.05pm – 1.45pm Information and reflection on grief
Berna Poljak, Death and Grief educator
2.00pm Expo and event concludes
