The Last Days Program | The Palliative Centre

Knowledge and tools to navigate a person’s last days

Around 160,000 people die every year in Australia - so how can we help families know what to expect and prepare for what is coming?

Our Last Days program is designed to equip people with practical knowledge and tools to navigate the last days of someone they care for.

You can partner with us to deliver Last Days online or face-to-face to the people in your care, at your location of choice.

The program has reached more than 500 people who are either caring for a family member at the end of their life, or are a healthcare professional involved in their care.

Drawing on decades of research and experience in complex dementia and palliative care, Last Days is delivered by an experienced palliative care nurse in small group face-to-face or online workshops.

The Last Days program has been generously supported by the HammondCare Foundation.

Partner with us on Last Days

Participants learn

How we die and the role of palliative care
What a 'good death' is and the choices we have
How to have conversations about dying and plan for what’s ahead
Practical matters to get affairs in order
Care choices as we near death
Grief and loss
Rituals, rules and regulations around death

The Last Days Program helps to

Acquire knowledge and tools
Support someone in your care to proactively make end-of-life choices
Understand dying as a normal part of life
Prepare for what’s coming by learning about the dying process

Know where to find support
Connect to practical support and others going through a similar experience
Feel confident talking about end of life
Understand that death need not be private or hidden and learn to talk about it openly

What does it involve?

The Last Days program is run by an experienced palliative care nurse as either a three-hour face-to-face workshop or two two-hour online workshops.

It is designed to equip family, friends and carers of someone at end-of-life with the knowledge and skills to navigate their last days, and includes workshops specifically on supporting someone with dementia through their last days.

Participants receive a comprehensive workbook with information on support services and resources.

Introduction to The Last Days Program

Understanding the process of ordinary dying
Program objectives

Module 1: Demystifying death and dying

What is palliative care
What care is available to you
We all have choices
What is important to you

Module 2: Future Planning – providing the tools and support to plan for what’s ahead

What is advance care planning
Who would you trust to make your health decisions
What do all these definitions mean
Communication approaches and strategies

Module 3: Understanding what to Expect

Dying – it’s a natural process
In the last days
Symptoms you may experience when supporting your loved one
Self care
What they may experience
Living life until the end

Module 4: Rituals, Rules and Regulations

Spiritual Care
The moments after someone has died
Who to notify
Funerals

Module 5: Grief and Loss

No right or wrong way to grieve
Caring for yourself
Children and grief

“So informative. I feel prepared to confront the difficulties that come from saying farewell to those we love.”

The Last Days Program pilot participant

“Very informative and reassuring. Having this knowledge makes me feel less anxious about the end of life. Thank you.”

The Last Days Program pilot participant

Want to discover more about partnering with us?

Join the many organisations that have run Last Days for the people in their care - just fill in the form or call 1800 826 166.

1800 826 166

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