GIVING people the opportunity to die either at home or in their local area is even more important in country areas than in the city, a La Trobe University ageing researcher believes.
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The Victorian government has released a framework for end-of-life and palliative care, committing $7.2 million to begin training and expanding the sector to improve options for the elderly.
Dr Rachel Winterton, of the Australian Institute for Primary Care and Ageing at La Trobe University, has recently completed a project analysing end-of-life options in country areas.
The study included Bendigo and surrounding regions.
Dr Winterton said having elderly people move away from their home town created stress and anxiety, and more needed to be done to improve local services.
“It’s very important because they may have to travel a long distance to access residential or palliative care services,” she said.
“It can also be traumatic, because those in rural areas may have lived in the same community for their whole lives, and it would be a difficult change to make.”
The results of her study will be released in the coming months.
A recent parliamentary review found 80 per cent of people want to die at home rather than in a hospital. Despite this, only 14 per cent do so.
The $7.2 million will be used immediately to expand specialist palliative care services, support GPs in local areas to assist people at home, and to develop a standardised care model.
Laws will also be introduced to protect people’s end-of-life wishes.
Dr Winterton said extra funding would likely be needed to fulfill the wishes of people in rural areas.
“The government should recognise that resource structures are very different in rural areas,” she said.
“Service are not available in every community, and those in small communities could be required to do huge amounts of travel.
“The onus should be placed on community-based structures. Rural communities are extremely supportive of the elderly – community organisations, in turn, need support as well.”
About 39,000 Victorians die each year, and the demand for end-of-life and palliative care is forecast to increase four per cent annually, outstripping the system’s capacity.
To view the government’s framework, visit www2.health.vic.gov.au/palliative-care
Adam Holmes
From Adelaide to south-west Victoria, Bendigo to Tasmania, I've provided in-depth stories in politics, environmental affairs, issues facing disadvantaged communities, legal affairs and much more. Contact me at adam.holmes@examiner.com.au or on Twitter at @adamholmes010
From Adelaide to south-west Victoria, Bendigo to Tasmania, I've provided in-depth stories in politics, environmental affairs, issues facing disadvantaged communities, legal affairs and much more. Contact me at adam.holmes@examiner.com.au or on Twitter at @adamholmes010
