From Sunday 11 May to Saturday 17 May, Australia celebrates National Palliative Care Week. Now in its 30th year, the week raises awareness about the value of palliative care and encourages Australians to start meaningful conversations about future care needs.
This year’s theme, “What’s your plan?”, invites individuals and families to reflect on what matters most when it comes to end-of-life care.
For people living with motor neurone disease (MND), planning ahead is particularly important as it assists to ensure that the care you receive aligns with your values, preferences and priorities. Understanding what palliative care services are available in your area and linking in with them is a part of this planning.
Palliative care is not just about the final stages of life, it’s about improving quality of life throughout the course of a life-limiting illness. It supports physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing and often includes pain relief, help navigating care decisions, family support, and respite services.
National Palliative Care Week is a timely reminder to start these conversations. Creating a plan and sharing it ensures that the care you receive aligns with your values, preferences and priorities. It can also ease the emotional and practical burden on your loved ones.
To learn more about National Palliative Care Week and explore helpful resources, visit Palliative Care Australia.
If you’d like more information about the role of palliative care and why planning ahead makes a difference, we recommend reading End of life care: A guide for people living with MND. You can view the guide online or request a printed copy by contacting your MND Advisor or calling our Info Line on 1800 777 175 or emailing
