Ballarat Hospice Care Inc.

Honesty is crucial to our work. At Ballarat Hospice Care, our processes are open and transparent, giving you the confidence and clarity you need. Trust begins with honesty, and we’re committed to both. 💬

This is one of the guiding principles that help us provide the best possible care for our community.

Today is R U OK?Day

A simple conversation can make a big difference. Take a moment to ask someone, "Are you OK?" and listen with care. Together, we can support each other.

is today - Thursday, 12 September.

But ANY day is the day to check in with those we care about and ask, ‘are you OK?’ - especially if they work or volunteer in palliative care. As important and rewarding as this work is, it can come with a load.

If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, try these 4️⃣ steps.

1️⃣ Ask R U OK?
2️⃣ Listen
3️⃣ Encourage action
4️⃣ Check in

Conversation tips ➡️ https://ow.ly/nC6m50TkKqt

Self care for those working or volunteering in palliative care ➡️ https://ow.ly/fMrC50TkKqu

At Ballarat Hospice Care, Kindness is at the heart of our approach. We treat every patient and family member with compassion, creating a caring and supportive environment during life's most challenging times. 🌸

Together, these values help us make a real difference in the lives of the patients, carers, and families we support. 💙

🖥️ Check out Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye 📺

Acclaimed journalist Ray Martin takes an investigative deep dive into one of Australia's last taboos – death – as he plans his own funeral. With curiosity, compassion, and sharp observations, Ray navigates this important conversation, offering a thoughtful reflection on life and farewells.

Don’t miss this powerful program as Ray contemplates his own personal goodbye, helping us all to better understand this often avoided subject.

Follow Ray Martin's lead and get your friends and family talking about dying and death - find out what is important to them and you.

Need inspiration? Catch up on Ray's great TV series on SBS Australia ➡️ https://ow.ly/lSFY50TbqHs

Free discussion starters to support your conversations➡️ https://ow.ly/cZ2250TbqHw

Thanks Ray and SBS.

📸(SBS) Ray invites a group of friends to join him at a ‘death over dinner’ party, to quiz them about their personal plans and attitudes.

Loyalty means we’re by your side every step of the way. We support, guide, and stay with you through every part of your journey. At Ballarat Hospice Care, our commitment to your well-being is unwavering. 🤝

This is one of the guiding principles that help us provide the best possible care for our community.

What an inspiration! Palliative Care can also focus on maintaining the highest possible quality of life for the individual.

Thank you Grant for sharing this powerful story 💙

People think palliative care is only about dying and death.

Grant Monk's story through paediatric palliative care flips that perspective. More than a decade on from his time in palliative care, Grant’s advice to others who find themselves in a similar situation is “focus on living as best you can."

Grant's story ➡️ https://ow.ly/2vFq50T4Bhh

At Ballarat Hospice Care, our core values guide everything we do, from how we support our patients and carers to how we interact with our community. These values - Loyalty, Kindness, Honesty, Respect, Trust, Skill, and Willingness - are at the heart of our mission.

Over the next few weeks, we'll share what these values mean to us and how they shape the care we provide.

Together, these values help us make a real difference in the lives of the patients, carers, and families we support. 💙

Thank you Sarah! Hope to see you in the Ballarat Hospice Care - Op Shop again soon 👋

🌟 Meet Sarah, one of our regulars at the Ballarat Hospice Care Op Shop! 🌟

Over the past few months, Sarah has become a familiar face in the shop, and she's also been working her magic behind the scenes by managing our social media. Thank you, Sarah, for all your hard work and support of our Op Shop! We look forward to seeing you in the shop again soon. 😉💛💙

This Father's Day we acknowledge the dads not with us anymore, the dads making the most of the life they have left, the dads spending today caring for others, and the dads grieving the loss of a child or loved one.

Happy Father's Day.

💬 Let's keep the conversation going!

Even though Dying to Know Day has come to an end, it doesn't mean we should stop talking. Keep the dialogue alive about our end-of-life desires with those we care about. We want to hear from you - share your reflections and stories with us!

Don't let the conversation die out. Let's continue to connect and discuss our wishes for the end of life. Your input is valuable and important.

Learn more about starting the conversation -https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/understand-advance-care-planning/starting-the-conversation

💆‍♀️ Reflection of the Day

“Self-care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.”

- Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

Self-care is essential for maintaining our overall well-being and ability to show up fully for others. By taking the time to care for ourselves, we are better equipped to support and care for those around us. It is not only a gift to ourselves, but a gift to those we interact with on a daily basis.

So remember, self-care is an act of kindness and compassion, both for yourself and for those around you. 💛

Are you looking for a clinical and treatment room to rent for your practice? Ballarat Hospice Care has a space available that may be perfect for you!

Our facility is located in a peaceful and serene setting, providing a calming environment for both patients and practitioners.

See further details and make an enquiry here - ballarathospicecare.org.au/2023/11/08/clinical-and-treatment-room-available

Join our community of healthcare providers and start making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.

CLINICAL AND TREATMENT ROOM AVAILABLE | Ballarat Hospice Care Clinical and Consulting Space for HireAre you looking for a professional and welcoming space to conduct your clinical or consulting work? We are ex...

🎉 Event Highlights: Dying to Know Day 2024 🎉

Thank you to everyone who attended the Dying to Know Day event at Ballarat Central Library yesterday. Your participation made the day truly special, and we hope the conversations sparked will continue to inspire thoughtful planning for the future.

A big thanks to all the partner agencies and amazing people involved in bringing this event together! Here are some highlights from a day filled with meaningful conversations and invaluable resources.

Come and check out the FREE Dying to Know Day event happening at Ballarat Central Library today!

🎭 Born in a Taxi performance of Unspoken was a great success this morning! This powerful performance is designed to encourage meaningful conversations about living and death.

There are also a variety of resources to help you start important conversations with your loved ones and plan for your future.

Missed the morning session? Join us at 1:30pm for the next performance. We hope to see you there!

📸 Dying to Know Day 2024

Today’s the day! Follow us for updates, photos, and highlights from the Dying to Know Day event at Ballarat Central Library. Engage with us and share your thoughts using .

💛 🌼 Today is Daffodil Day!

Today, Australians unite to give back in the face of all that cancer takes. We give to support those impacted and to fund life-saving cancer research.

With nearly 1 in 2 people diagnosed by age 85, it takes all of us to bring hope for better treatments and brighter futures.

To find out how you can get involved with Daffodil Day in your area, visit the official website - www.daffodilday.com.au/states-and-territories

Together, the more hope we give, the more lives we can save! 🌼💛

Have you seen the recent Australian Story episode on ABC iview last week?

Nick Cave, the music icon, opens up about his heartbreaking journey through grief in a candid chat with Leigh Sales.

The raw and emotional story resonates deeply, especially for parents who have experienced the loss of a child.

If you haven't watched it yet, check out the episode here - iview.abc.net.au/show/australian-story/series/2024/video/NC2402Q018S00

Australian Story: Series 2024 Nick Cave with Leigh Sales Rock legend Nick Cave talks candidly with Leigh Sales about grief, addiction, religion and why he's still making challenging music in his 60s. (Return)

Let's have a chat about death, shall we?

You’ve likely heard the adage ‘the only certainties in life are death and taxes’.

Usually, if we don't pay our taxes, the government will come knocking and yet, planning for our inevitable demise is something we tend to avoid.

Dr. Michael Chapman, Director of Palliative Care at Canberra Health Services and an academic at ANU, believes it's a task worth considering. It all starts with a simple conversation!

Check out more of what Dr Chapman had to say in The Australian National University article here - https://bit.ly/DeathTalk

We need to talk about death: planning for end of life It might sound like a tricky topic, but healthcare experts say it’s important to discuss and plan for the end of your life.

🌟 Event Reminder – Friday is the Day!

Get ready for this year's Dying to Know Day event this Friday! Come along to be part of this thought-provoking experience to encourage open conversations about end-of-life wishes and preparations.

📅 Date: Friday, 23 August 2024
📍 Location: Ballarat Central Library, Doveton Street North, Ballarat, Victoria 3350

Event Highlights:
🎭 Interactive performances by Born in a Taxi (pictured below)
☕ Death Cafe hosted by Ballarat Cemeteries
📜 Emotional Will Kits and conversation starters available

For more details and to book your spot for the performances, visit https://bit.ly/4ftGmat.

💡 End of Life Planning

Thinking about the end of your life doesn't have to be daunting. In fact, it can be a meaningful process that allows you to focus on what truly matters to you. It's a chance to make decisions that align with your wishes and values.

Wondering where to start with end-of-life planning? Ask yourself:
Who will care for me?
Where do I want to die?
What are my burial preferences?

Not sure how to begin? Explore these planning tools - https://proveda.com.au/our-services/end-of-life/planning-tools/

🦋 Reflection of the day: Like a Butterfly

"When that last breath is taken
the air in the room leaves for just a moment
leaving those in its presence
holding their breath
it is at that moment when we are all reminded
how truly fragile and precious life is
Life is much like a butterfly, whose wings, which
are delicate in nature, are powerful, miraculous, and strong
sometimes able to make it through fierce winds
while other times, no longer able to fly, feeling the
wind blowing through the tiny tears in its wings
knowing … the end is near
Life is like that … fierce, strong, fragile, and precious … like a butterfly"

- by Gabrielle Jimenez www.thehospiceheart.net

📖 Understanding Emotional Wills

Emotional Will is all about your legacy, the things you want to convey in terms of your thoughts, values and memories.

Learn how Emotional Wills can help you plan your end-of-life wishes - https://www.thegroundswellproject.com/your-emotional-will

Join us at our Dying to Know Day event on August 23 to learn more and pick up your own.

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the ACU Ballarat Health Careers Expo! We connected with passionate Nursing, Allied Health, and Paramedicine students, discussing career opportunities in palliative care, volunteering opportunities and the impact they can make in our community.

Thank you to Australian Catholic University (ACU) for hosting this valuable event, and fostering connections between local employers and future healthcare leaders.

☕ You’re Invited to the Death Cafe!

Let’s talk about life’s final adventure in a relaxed and open setting! Join us at Death Cafe a free event, hosted by Ballarat Cemeteries, where we chat about death, dying, and everything in between.

No need to bring anything but your thoughts—and maybe a friend!

🗓️ Save the date: Friday, 23 August 2024
⏰ Time: 12.15pm
📍 Location: Ballarat Central Library

No need to RSVP - just show up and join the conversation.

Find out more about Death Cafes here - proveda.com.au/our-services/end-of-life/death-cafe

🕊️ Understanding Choices in Care

During Dying to Know Month, we have been inspired by Merilyn Simpson’s powerful story shared by Grampians Health Ballarat. Merilyn has taken the courageous step of completing an Advance Care Directive, ensuring her wishes are respected if she’s unable to communicate them herself.

Read more about Merilyn’s journey and the significance of an Advance Care Directive here: https://bit.ly/4dbxsgd

Merilyn Simpson knows how she wants to die.

She has written clear legally-binding directives, for doctors and relatives to follow in the event she can no longer communicate her wishes.

Today, on ‘Dying to Know Day’, Merilyn is sharing her story and urging others to complete an ‘Advance Care Directive’.

Directives document a person’s preferences for future medical treatment, from general values to specific instructions around treatment options.

“The main thing for me is, I don’t want to linger about in pain with no quality of life,” Merilyn said.

When she filled out her form, Merilyn could not imagine how soon a life-threatening illness would bring it to the fore.

Read her story here: https://bit.ly/4dbxsgd

Ballarat Hospice Care is proud to partner with the Grampians Regional Palliative Care Team for the upcoming Dying to Know Day event!

Let's break the taboo and start talking about end-of-life wishes and planning together.

🗓️ Date: Friday, 23 August 2024
📍 Location: Ballarat Central Library, Doveton Street North, Ballarat, Victoria 3350

Don't miss out on:
🎭 Interactive performances by Born in a Taxi
☕ Death Cafe hosted by Ballarat Cemeteries
✍️ Emotional Will Kits and conversation starters

For more information and to secure your spot visit - https://bit.ly/4ftGmat

Dying to Know Day - Ballarat Central Library Don't let your End-of-Life wishes be 'Unspoken' - Friday 23rd August ‘Dying to Know Day’ is a free, National community event to prompt...

🌅 Reflection of the day:

"As the sun dips down into the horizon
Soaking the surrounding sky in ice cream
Colours, we are afforded a wonderful
Opportunity for a mindful reminder that
Every day offers us a new end and a new beginning"

Remember to embrace the endings as much as the beginnings, for they are all part of our journey.

This breathtaking photo of Lake Wendouree was captured by the talented Lauren Layton Art!

Today is Dying to Know Day!

On this important day, we join people across the nation in encouraging open conversations about end-of-life wishes and planning. Let's break the stigma and start the discussions that
matter most.

Dying to Know Day is about:
- Building community and fostering supportive conversations
- Advocating for self-advocacy in end-of-life planning
- Ensuring personal wishes align with individual values
Join us in embracing these conversations to reduce future anguish for loved ones and ensure your wishes are known and respected.

Let’s ensure that no end-of-life wish remains unspoken.

For more information and resources, visit - www.dyingtoknowday.com