A new campaign to educate consumers on the need to plan ahead for death or incapacitation has been launched today.
An Australian-first, the campaign will challenge Western Australians to see death as an important part of life – an event or process worthy of consideration and planning.
The theme ‘You only die once’ is based on the need to have conversations early, as once someone is gone, it is too late.
Advance Care Planning means planning for last stage of life including making a will; being an informed health user; making your organ and tissue donation decisions known, and completing necessary paperwork; understanding palliative care; ensuring Enduring Powers of Attorney and Guardianship and Advance Health Directives are in place.
The CEO Roundtable on Palliative Care, a Palliative Care WA initiative, identified the need for the campaign to get members of the community openly talking about this taboo subject.
WA Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices identified that only seven per cent of WA’s population had engaged in Advance Care Planning, compared to 15 per cent across the rest of Australia.
The message of the campaign is applicable to people of all ages, as you can never know what is around the corner. The campaign will be featured on television, radio and social media.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“This campaign is necessary because we know that many in the community have not had discussions around Advance Care Planning.
“Whether this is because people are afraid of talking about end-of-life planning, or whether they are just not aware of the steps, it is a necessary conversation.
“The campaign brings home some important messages that need to be shared and spoken about openly.
“I encourage all Western Australian adults to have ‘the conversation’ with your loved ones about your wishes. And importantly, encourage them to speak about their own wishes in return.
“It is a confronting conversation, but one that your family and loved ones will be grateful you had.”
