'Let's talk': Palliative Care Explained"When people get a terminal diagnosis the lights go out. When EPC get involved with them I see the lights come back on." This quote was from one GP who attended an EPC 'Let's talk' session at his local social group. He went on to say "EPC are highly professional and proficient. They are experts in their field and they know exactly what they are doing.""EPC saved our family" said another attendee. When EPC is involved these are the kinds of comments that abound.We are passionate about getting the work of Palliative Care known within our community. The conversation about death is not an easy one to have, and most of us live every day without even acknowledging this part of life.Our 10 highly skilled volunteers who work in the 'Let's talk' program use a presentation that is designed to break the myths that surround palliative care, which include 'Palliative Care... is all about dying.' is for old people with cancer.' is lonely.' takes my choices away.' is expensive.' means you are in hospital.' is only for the person who is sick.'They delight in overturning these statements and letting people know the true nature of what the business of EPC is about."People are surprised that palliative care is often given for months, and not just at the last stages. Also, the breadth of the programs we offer are very enlightening for many.

The lack of cost is another thing that people are unaware of." Margaret Young – EPC Presenter. Our volunteers have presented to libraries, churches, social groups, professional associations, service clubs, councils and even schools. No group is too large or too small. A number of groups are worried when booking a speaker and make statements such as ‘please don’t make the presentation sad’. This myth is also delightfully overturned as our presenters share their message of hope, living, and continued connections with those around us – and yes, a lot of laughter too.But the conversations that take place at the end of the presentations are where the heart stories are shared..."Thankyou for your care of my loved one, EPC cared for me and ... It meant such a lot to us."

"The nurses know exactly what to do, they are extremely professional"

"Would you be able to come and talk to my group too? I think

they should know about your service."

All of our presenters also work with EPC as volunteers in the

home. They are well versed in the service and understand the

intricacies of the work EPC does."I feel that it’s a privilege to walk

with people at this stage of their lives, and I have learned a lot about living

and about loving." Margaret Young – EPC Presenter.

If you would like to book one of our skilled presenters to come to your group call EPC on 1300 130 813.

Message from Jeanette

Jeanette MoodyCEO, EPC

Welcome to 2019 – another year that promises to be exciting for EPC.

We have our Accreditation visit in March and we are currently gearing up to showcase our great services. We are also embarking on new projects including the provision of Nurse Respite in the home for clients who are in the terminal phase of their illness. Through this project, we hope to support more clients to die in their own home if that is their wish.

This newsletter is also allowing us to advertise our great community education programs. From formal education by registered nurses to Ambassador Talks by trained Volunteers, EPC can provide all of this to support and educate our local community. The more we can get our community to talk about end of life care the better for all of us so that we can all plan for what each of us would like to happen at the end of our lives. We plan so much of our lives but most of us are reluctant to plan for our end of life.

Please feel free to enquire about our Aged Care and Disability palliative education or request a 'Let's talk' session. We have highly skilled people who can assist and help drive quality end of life care for those in our community as they approach death.

www.epc.asn.au | 1300 130 813 Community Education edition

Issue 1March 2019

Education Edition

'Let's Talk': Palliative Care Explained

Community Education Addressing Misconceptions Donor Appreciation Expo1 2 3 4

www.epc.asn.au | 1300 130 813 March 2019 | Page 2

Why do we provide Palliative Care Education?It is imperative that those working in health care have some knowledge and skills of the specialist health care needs of those with a life limiting illness, including family, carers and colleagues. Education and training in palliative care should focus on developing skills and knowledge in:• Communication • Effective Management of Symptoms, including pain;• Providing advice and assistance with advanced care planning;• End of Life Care and Bereavement. We offer clinical experience for course participants spending the day on the road with a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse to complement the classroom learning. The aim of this is for participants to reflect on their learning and experiences, and transfer new and updated skills and knowledge in palliative care to their workplace. Education and training also assists in ensuring appropriate and timely referrals from other health professionals and encouraging providers to work collaboratively with specialist palliative care services.

The EPC Community Education Program holistically explores the comprehensive needs of the dying and their families and incorporates guidelines for a palliative approach to care. As well as touching on common issues and symptoms in palliative care, our courses incorporate sessions on grief, loss and communication. We have staff who are experts in having difficult conversations and they can impart the skills and strategies needed to empower others to have conversations with families dealing with grief and loss.EPC provides a range of flexible options for community education for Registered Nurses and Personal Care Attendants. Topics offered with our Community Education include:

• The Principles of Palliative Care and The Palliative approach to care• Symptom Management• Pain Management• Dementia• The Dying process and End of Life Care• Subcutaneous Infusions• Advanced Care Planning• Communication• Grief Loss and Bereavement.

Community Education for Nurses and Personal Care Attendants

Aged Care & Disability Educationwith Palliative Support Nurse Lee-Anne Henley.

For those of us who will spend our final days in an Aged Care Facility, it is important to have confidence that the facility will be able to manage all of our needs. Optimally, care can occur in familiar surroundings attended by people we know and we are given dignity and comfort. Transfer to hospital at this end stage is often distressing and unnecessary.

To know that our possible pain and other physical symptoms, emotional, cultural, psychosocial and spiritual needs at end of life will be treated with care by well-informed staff, gives confidence and

much needed peace of mind. This helps to ensure a good, peaceful, dignified death with support for families and carers.

EPC provides education to Aged Care and Disability facilities through a State funded Palliative Support nurse who is able to give free one hour education sessions to all levels of staff and managers. Topics range from End of Life care, Pain Management, and How to talk to families about deterioration & dying. EPC’s aim is to support staff in the 150 Aged Care Facilities in our catchment, to provide excellent palliative care to all residents.

with Clinical Nurse Consultant Jane Bourke.

March 2019 | Page 3

Addressing MisconceptionsAn important aim of education and training in palliative care for health professionals (who are not within a specialist palliative care service) is to address misconceptions about palliative care. Common misconceptions include:1. Palliative care hastens death. Fact: Palliative Care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process and intends to neither hasten nor postpone death.2. Palliative care is only for people dying of cancer.Fact: Palliative care can benefit clients, families and carers from the time of diagnosis of any life limiting illness.It can include chronic diseases such as heart, lung and kidney failure. Neurological conditions such as Dementia and Motor Neurone Disease.3. People in palliative care who stop eating die of starvation.Fact: As people with advancing illness deteriorate, interest in food and fluids naturally decreases.Loss of weight may indicate to families advancement of disease and may be considered by some to be the cause of death, a common misconception.4. Palliative care is only provided in a hospital.Fact: Most palliative care is delivered in the community. Palliative care can be provided wherever the patient lives – home, aged care facility, disability home, hospice or hospital. 5. We need to protect children from being exposed to death and dying. Fact: Allowing children to talk about death and dying can help them develop healthy attitudes that can benefit them as adults. Like adults, children also need time to say goodbye to people who are important to them.6. Pain is a part of dying. Fact: Pain is not always a part of dying. If pain is experienced near end of life, there are many ways it can be alleviated. The aim of palliative care is to provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms as illness advances.7. Taking pain medications in palliative care leads to addiction. Fact: Drug addiction is associated with people using drugs to get “high” creating a psychological dependence. When opioids and other pain medications are used correctly to relieve pain, addiction is not an issue.8. Morphine is administered to hasten death.Fact: Appropriate doses of morphine keep clients comfortable but do not hasten death. The underlying illness is the cause of death.Morphine can be used for many weeks or months for symptom control before someone deteriorates and approaches end of life.

9. Palliative care means my doctor has given up and there is no hope for me.Fact: Palliative care ensures the best quality of life for people who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness. Enhancing quality of life fosters hope, and can positively influence the course of illness and help people live as actively as possible until death.

10. Euthanasia and Assisted Dying is integral to providing good Palliative Care.Fact: Euthanasia and assisted dying is not a substitute for specialist palliative care. Palliative Care offers a holistic approach to care by providing physical, emotional, social and spiritual support. Open and honest communication between client, family and health professionals is vital.Sources used are adapted from Palliative Care Australia, Caresearch and Canadian Virtual Hospice – Sept 2017.

Community Education Edition

Our courses educate those working in health care in the community about these common misconceptions and therefore provide the best possible care for the palliative patient.

Some of the feedback we receive from health care professionals after attending our courses includes:

“Overall I now have a better understanding of Palliative Care and the approach and a better understanding of how to manage certain symptoms”.

“I’m now aware of the broad allowance for palliative care – to consider palliative care well before end of life care, to consider it sooner. I’ll ask more about preferences/Advanced care planning”.

“Thank you so much for making this training available for carers. It is invaluable – will give me guidance and confidence with my client care”.

For further information you can view our course brochures on our website or contact us at training@epc.asn.au

If this newsletter has arrived at a difficult time, we sincerely apologise. The staff at EPC understand the difficulty in moving on without loved ones. If you would like some support, please contact us on 1300 130 813.

2019 Key datesEPC client services available on all public holidaysMarch 2019 EPC Volunteer training9 April 2019 Donor Appreciation High Tea Expo19-25 May 2019 National Palliative Care Week24 May 2019 Death Café20-26 May 2019 National Volunteer Week celebration28 July 2019 Run Melbourne, EPC Fundraiser11 September 2019 Volunteering Information Session 12 November 2019 EPC Annual General Meeting

New stock!

In lieu of flowersThank you to the families of the following loved ones, who arranged for donations to EPC in lieu of flowers at their memorial service.

Antonio Bello Lance Collins Margaret JohnsonRaymond John Croft James Ronald Neal Katrina Gordon-AddisonLindsay Clive Rotherham Lorna Margaret LeslieWe are most grateful that you thought of EPC during such a difficult time.

Thank you

Do you love Melbourne?

Thank you for sharing the spirit of Christmas. 100% of your donations go directly to the area of most need, in real time. The Festive Season is a difficult time for many EPC clients. Thanks to your donation we were able to meet many requests for additional assistance at this time.

On 28 July 2019 Run Melbourne will fill the streets with over 20,000 participants – and you are invited! EPC is proud to be a nominated charity you can fundraise for while enjoying an unforgettable experience walking or running through our city with our wonderful EPC community. Form your own team or join TEAM EPC! Stay tuned to our website for more details.

Donor Appreciation High Tea ExpoHave you ever donated or fundraised for EPC? If you have, you are invited to EPC’s Donor Appreciation High Tea Expo on Tuesday 9 April. Your generosity, no matter how big or small, will be celebrated at a delicious High Tea and exciting Expo of the work we do. Chat with our specialist staff, ask questions and learn how your support has made a difference. This is an exclusive event for people who have kindly donated to EPC.It will be held on Tuesday 9th April from 3-5pm. For enquiries email events@epc.asn.au or phone 1300 130 813.

Eastern Palliative Care is a partnership between the Order of Malta, Outer East Palliative Care Service Inc. and St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne) Ltd

Eastern Palliative Care acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government

Telephone 1300 130 813Address PO Box 2110, Rangeview, Victoria 3132E-mail epccip@epc.asn.auWebsite epc.asn.au

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