From 10 to 16 May 2026, Australia marks the National Palliative Care Week. This nationwide event aims to raise awareness about palliative care and encourages people, families, and communities to learn more about end-of-life care options. By planning early, having open conversations, and offering holistic support, the campaign demonstrates the importance of helping people with life-limiting conditions maintain their dignity, comfort, and quality of life.
To support this initiative, Chung Wah Community Care (CWCC) held an educational workshop led by former volunteer Dr Ruth Wei. The workshop covered topics like Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG), Advance Care Planning (ACP), and Advance Health Directive (AHD). The goal was to help community members feel more confident and prepared when planning for the future.
With her experience, Dr Wei gave clear, practical advice on how seniors can protect their wishes regarding finances, healthcare, and lifestyle if their health declines in the future. By choosing someone they trust to handle financial matters or writing down their medical care preferences ahead of time, these legal tools can ease emotional stress for families and help prevent misunderstandings or conflict during difficult times.
This information is especially helpful for many culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) families. Although family-centred care is important in many cultures, talking about ageing, illness, and end-of-life planning can still be hard or sensitive. The workshop provided participants with a safe and supportive space to begin thinking about these important topics and future choices.
Many people think palliative care is only for the final stage of life. In fact, it is about improving the quality of life for people living with serious, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses by offering medical, emotional, psychological, and social support. It also helps carers and family members along the way. This approach is a key part of the community services that CWCC provides every day.
At CWCC Community Hubs, some seniors who receive palliative care still take part in many community activities. Some join weekly table tennis sessions to stay active, while others sing in groups to share their feelings and connect with others through music. Many also find comfort and support by talking with friends in the community. These real-life stories show what palliative care is really about: even when facing health challenges, people can still find fulfilment, connection, participation, and dignity.
With community activities, health education, care planning support, and services that respect different cultures, CWCC helps seniors stay connected, independent, and well at every stage of life.
