15/05/2019
Dying Matters- Let's Talk About It!
The Public Health Agency is urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly about their wishes for future care, dying and bereavement with their loved ones.
The campaign marks Dying Matters Awareness Week, 13-19 May, with the theme 'Are We Ready?'
Corrina Grimes, Palliative Care Lead at the PHA, is encouraging the public to talk to each other about the issue. She said: "Many of us have specific wishes about how and where we would like to die and what we would like to happen after our death. However, we sometimes don't like to talk about our wishes and thoughts about death and dying, perhaps due to fear of the subject or concern that we may upset our family or friends.
"The reality is, however, that if we don't have these types of conversations it can mean that people's wishes go unfulfilled and families may struggle to make decisions. There may be important matters you want to address now rather than when time feels limited."
The PHA is advising people to take the following steps to make their end of life experience better:
• Make a will
• Record your funeral wishes
• Plan your future care and support
• Register as an organ donor
• Tell loved ones your wishes.
Ms Grimes continued: "We want to get as many people as possible thinking, talking and acting during Dying Matters Awareness Week. Talking about dying, death and bereavement is in everyone's interests as it can help ensure that all of us can get the care and support we want, and where we want it, at the end of our lives.
"Even just having a chat with family, friends or colleagues about the importance of preparing for death can change perceptions. Through being more confident in talking about dying and taking small actions to plan for the future and support each other, together we can make a big difference. Talking about death does not bring it any closer. It is about planning for life."
(JG/CM)
The campaign marks Dying Matters Awareness Week, 13-19 May, with the theme 'Are We Ready?'
Corrina Grimes, Palliative Care Lead at the PHA, is encouraging the public to talk to each other about the issue. She said: "Many of us have specific wishes about how and where we would like to die and what we would like to happen after our death. However, we sometimes don't like to talk about our wishes and thoughts about death and dying, perhaps due to fear of the subject or concern that we may upset our family or friends.
"The reality is, however, that if we don't have these types of conversations it can mean that people's wishes go unfulfilled and families may struggle to make decisions. There may be important matters you want to address now rather than when time feels limited."
The PHA is advising people to take the following steps to make their end of life experience better:
• Make a will
• Record your funeral wishes
• Plan your future care and support
• Register as an organ donor
• Tell loved ones your wishes.
Ms Grimes continued: "We want to get as many people as possible thinking, talking and acting during Dying Matters Awareness Week. Talking about dying, death and bereavement is in everyone's interests as it can help ensure that all of us can get the care and support we want, and where we want it, at the end of our lives.
"Even just having a chat with family, friends or colleagues about the importance of preparing for death can change perceptions. Through being more confident in talking about dying and taking small actions to plan for the future and support each other, together we can make a big difference. Talking about death does not bring it any closer. It is about planning for life."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
22 January 2024
Flu Vaccination Programme Extended To 50 To 64 Year Olds
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced that the influenza vaccination programme has now been extended to include everyone aged 50 to 64 years old.
Flu Vaccination Programme Extended To 50 To 64 Year Olds
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced that the influenza vaccination programme has now been extended to include everyone aged 50 to 64 years old.
28 February 2024
Health Service Faces 'Extremely Difficult And Worsening' Situation
Northern Ireland's health and social care services are facing an extremely difficult and worsening" financial position, Health Minister Robin Swann has warned. The minister made the warning in his keynote speech at the Royal College of General Practitioners (NI) in Ballymena.
Health Service Faces 'Extremely Difficult And Worsening' Situation
Northern Ireland's health and social care services are facing an extremely difficult and worsening" financial position, Health Minister Robin Swann has warned. The minister made the warning in his keynote speech at the Royal College of General Practitioners (NI) in Ballymena.
21 February 2024
Waiting Lists Cannot Be Tackled In Isolation – Swann
Hospital waiting lists cannot be tackled in isolation from other fundamental issues facing health and social care, Health Minister Robin Swann has said. Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, 20 February, the Minister warned that "piecemeal interventions" alone will not be sufficient.
Waiting Lists Cannot Be Tackled In Isolation – Swann
Hospital waiting lists cannot be tackled in isolation from other fundamental issues facing health and social care, Health Minister Robin Swann has said. Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, 20 February, the Minister warned that "piecemeal interventions" alone will not be sufficient.
12 February 2024
Dept Of Health Engages In Detailed Discussions With NI Children's Hospice
The Department of Health has been engaged in a week detailed discussions on the current situation at NI Children's Hospice (NICH) , including direct engagement with the Hospice itself. Minister for Health, Robin Swann, has said that it is clear that the financial pressures facing NICH go much deeper than any reduction of Departmental support.
Dept Of Health Engages In Detailed Discussions With NI Children's Hospice
The Department of Health has been engaged in a week detailed discussions on the current situation at NI Children's Hospice (NICH) , including direct engagement with the Hospice itself. Minister for Health, Robin Swann, has said that it is clear that the financial pressures facing NICH go much deeper than any reduction of Departmental support.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.