Performers donned shimmering white gowns, feathered wings and hats to draw people’s attention to a topic that often goes unspoken: ageing and end of life care arrangements.

What would be your preferences for any care you might need in your later years, and final days?

Who would you nominate to make decisions on your behalf if you became too unwell to do so yourself?

Bendigo Health advance care planning coordinator, Meagan Adams said the proportion of people with documented end of life care plans, of which the health care group was aware, was ‘very low’.

“These conversations are sometimes difficult and always very personal but they can provide peace of mind that personal preferences, values and beliefs will be respected,” Ms Adams said.

A free community event staged over two days in Bendigo encourages people to consider their plans for their later years and what they want for their end of life care, in a safe environment.

Ms Adams said the Unspoken: What will become of me? forum would explore the themes of ageing, declining capacity and autonomy, ‘with humor’.

“It will provide people with the opportunity to gather their thoughts and gather information from peer educators,” she said.

She said attendees would have opportunities to discuss the Victorian Palliative Care Strategy, Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act, and Victoria’s assisted dying legislation.

Sessions at the Bendigo Town Hall from August 7 – 8 will be presented by Health Issues Centre and the Council of the Ageing, with Bendigo Health.

People interested in the event can choose from a variety of session times do not need to attend for the full two days.

Locations visited by the angels on Friday included Bendigo Hospital, Bendigo Marketplace and Hargreaves Mall.

Ms Adams said some people had been ‘amazing’ at interacting with the angels, while a couple of people had told her they didn’t want to approach the subject just yet.

For session times and to register telephone 5454 6386 or visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/unspoken-what-will-become-of-me-tickets-43424229038