Local people are being encouraged to learn more about palliative care and the benefits it offers to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
The All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC ) is calling on people to become better informed about its positive impact as part of Palliative Care Week. Now in its ninth year, it takes place from September 11 to 17.
This year's theme is "Palliative Care: Living as well as possible". The director of AIIHPC, Karen Charnley, says it highlights how palliative care enables people to have a good quality of life.
It achieves this by putting people at the centre of care, supporting their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.
"It can also benefit people at all stages of illness and people of all ages, allowing the person to continue to have the independence to do some of the things that they enjoy, such as hobbies and spending time with family.
"Throughout most people's lives they will know someone who needs palliative care - often a family member. So, this year for Palliative Care Week we want to reach as many people as possible in Galway and help them to be better informed about all aspects of palliative care and its benefits.
“It is important that people talk to their health or social care professional and communicate their concerns and ask questions about palliative care and how it could help them or someone important to them."
To find out more about Palliative Care Week
Visit www.thepalliativehub.com/public-awareness For those with an interest in promoting a better understanding of palliative care:
Download the leaflet, poster, and other resources from www.thepalliativehub.com/public-awareness and share it with your family, friends, colleagues, or members of local groups
A number of public events are taking place. Further information on these is available at Palliative Care Week Events - The Palliative Hub
Talk to your family and share your wishes in the event that you have palliative care needs in the future, and encourage others to do the same
Share your own palliative care experience story on social media during Palliative Care Week 2022 using #pallcareweek.
To obtain leaflets and/or posters, contact AIIHPC at (01 ) 4912948 or email [email protected]
