Palliative Care South Australia (PCSA) will host a Compassionate Community Conversation morning tea in Mount Gambier/ Berrin today in celebration of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
The event will focus on the principles of ‘compassionate communities’, which is the theme for this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on October 14.
PCSA chief executive (CEO) Shyla Mills said the local event was part of a series of 12 around the state.
“This will enable us to develop true insight into local networks of support across South Australia and in March 2024 we will provide everyone who attended a collated state-wide report,” she said.
Adjunct associate professor Mills said everyone was welcome to come along to the free event.
“Everyone will know someone who experiences a serious illness, ageing, disability, dying, grief, or caregiving,” she said.
“It might be a family member, friend, colleague, schoolteacher, or neighbour.
“It is a normal part of life, but it usually is something people find difficult to talk about or to know how to help.”
The event is being held in conjunction with Carers SA, Country SA Public Health Network (PHN), Adelaide PHN, SA Health and The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
Carers SA CEO David Militz said supporting carers was often one of the best ways to be a compassionate neighbour.
“The caring role can often take its toll emotionally, physically, socially, and financially,” he said.
“In many cases people don’t realise that someone they know is caring for a family member or friend and simple helping tasks such as checking in on your neighbour or offering compassionate words may make that carer’s day.”
Country SA PHN CEO Mark Hartigan said they were proud to help fund the morning tea.
“Caring for someone is not only about their medical care; community groups, friends, and colleagues all play an essential role in supporting each other,” he said.
The Compassionate Community Conversation morning tea event will be held today, November 10, at The Commodore from 10am.
Information at palliativecaresa.org.au/compassionate-communities-sa/
