Dying Matters week 10-16 May 2021

This Dying Matters week we are encouraging people to talk more about what they want from their care when they are reaching the end of their life.

Talking about death doesn’t bring death closer. It’s about planning for life, helping us make the most of the time that we have. However, starting the conversation, particularly with those close to you, is never easy. We don’t want to upset people, or sound gloomy. Still, families commonly report that it comes as a relief once the subject is brought out into the open. You are able to express your wishes about the way you wish to be cared for, how you’d like to die, or what you’d like to happen after you die. This helps you and your loved ones to cope better both emotionally and practically with what your death could mean.

It doesn't have to be the big things either. You don't have to have a bucket list. But imagine you were in a care setting; what would you want the people caring for you to know? Would you like music playing? Is it important to you that they know how many sugars you have? Do you want someone to do your hair and make up for you if you can't? Where would you like to be when the end comes? Those smaller details might be very important to you, or someone you love and it's important that we feel comfortable having those conversations, so that you know you will have the best life right until the end.

If you’re worried about getting it wrong with those you love, you can discuss it first with someone else you respect and trust, for example; a nurse, friend or work colleague.

Sometimes talking about important subjects like this isn’t a matter of having one ‘cover all’ conversation, it can be many small ones.

That's why we're asking people to tell three people what matters most to them. This week we'll share a daily video about people having this conversation, what matters to them and why it is important to them.

Watch the videos here.

We hope that you'll join in the conversation too.

Find out more information here:

• Compassion in dying (opens in a new window) 
• Dying matters (opens in a new window) 
• EOLP (opens in a new window) 
• What matters conversations (opens in a new window)