Last Days Program
Navigating Death and Dying
Last Days Program
Navigating Death and Dying
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.

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.