ehospice

Celebrating WHPCD 2023!

On October 14th, 2023, we commemorated World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD). This special occasion was celebrated in a unique and heartwarming manner by the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) in collaboration with the Korean Society for Hospice & Palliative Care. As part of the 15th Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference held in Incheon, Korea, an inspiring Morning Walk Programme was organised on 7 Oct, the final day of the conference. Participants from diverse backgrounds, all passionate about the field of palliative care, were invited to join this event. They embarked on a leisurely stroll through
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New ‘Matters of Life and Death’ materials to raise awareness

Palliative Care Australia has launched a series of videos and communication materials aimed at raising awareness of the work the sector does and stimulating end of life conversations and planning. “We are building on the success of our campaign during National Palliative Care Week in May, because it’s a message that is relevant every week of the year,” says Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Office, Palliative Care Australia (PCA). “What we found was that people with firsthand experience of palliative care are often our best allies and can play a powerful role in highlighting the benefits of increased access and better understanding of
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Member Spotlight: Hospice Foundation of Taiwan

In December 1990, the Hospice Foundation of Taiwan (HFT) was jointly founded by MacKay Memorial Hospital and Shuang-Lien Presbyterian Church. The founders of HFT were determined to establish an organization that could assist terminally ill patients, both within the medical profession and the general public. HFT became the first foundation to promote hospice and death education. The Hospice Foundation of Taiwan has been committed to helping terminal patients receive appropriate medical treatment and attention for over three decades. We are dedicated to improving hospice care and providing life education for patients and their families. Through various hospice promotional activities, we
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‘Unmasking Grief’ – a new video series

Unmasking Grief  is a new PCA-commissioned video series that sensitively illuminates the grief stories of four bereaved mothers. Hoping to make a difference for other families dealing with grief, Rachel, Yvonne, Bec and Angela bravely confront topics with dignity, grace, vulnerability, and humour.   This six-chapter video series not only highlights each woman’s unique experience of grief, but also the common bond of understanding and acknowledgement that grows when others living with grief share their story.  As one grieving parent told us, “Connection with other bereaved families can be more beneficial than what health professionals can sometimes provide. This is the most confusing, heart
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Including the Frail Elderly In the National Health Insurance Hospice Benefits Program

It is estimated that in 2025, Taiwan will enter a super-aged society. Faced with the increasing demand for long-term care and desire for a good death for the elderly, the government and the medical system are gearing up and making advanced preparations. Taiwan’s palliative care targets are currently limited to so-called patients, but that excludes elderly who do not have major diseases of specific organs and are simply considered frail due to old age. These frail elderly individuals are often lost in the healthcare system as their illness trajectory is difficult to assess. Frailty is not just a problem of degeneration caused by
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Know Your Council: Dr Yuen Kwok Keung

Dr Yuen Kwok Keung is the Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of the Department of Clinical Oncology of the University of Hong Kong. He is currently the Membership Committee Chair of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, Vice President of the Hong Kong College of Radiologists and the Committee Member of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Designated Centers Working Group. Kindly share some insights into your background and the factors that led you to pursue a career in palliative care. What has motivated you to remain dedicated to this field? I am a specialist in both clinical oncology
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Dementia and palliative care – meeting the need in Australia’s future

Palliative Care Australia and Dementia Australia have framed nine recommendations to deliver better quality of life to people, families, and carers traveling life’s journey with dementia. “Dementia is the biggest health issue facing Australians over 65 years,” says Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia (PCA).  “We need to better integrate dementia care and palliative care so that the 400,000 Australians currently living with dementia can make the most of life – and for a lot of those people, that will mean many years of quality living and relationships.” To that end PCA and Dementia Australia, have just updated a long-standing joint policy
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Webinar: Primary Palliative Care – Practices Across Different Regions

Join us for the first webinar of the APHN Primary Palliative Care Education Series! The aim of the webinar is to further the discussion around how to integrate palliative care into existing primary health care services across the Asia Pacific region. Recognising that each region has their own unique structures and cultures. By sharing your individual experiences we hope can promote a good discussion about what we can learn from each other the commonalities and the differences. Details Date: 23 November 2023 Time: 2-3:30 pm (Singapore time) Held on Zoom Guest Speakers: Dr Attakorn Raksasataya Senior Consultant at Karunruk Palliative Care
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Regardless of age

Death is not the prerogative of the old, and neither is the need for palliative care. It happens to the youngest and the best of us. Singapore’s population is ageing rapidly — one in four will be 65 years and older by 2030. In data published in June 2021 by the Singapore Department of Statistics: Singaporeans enjoy the third longest life expectancy in the world at an average of 83.9 years, yet the years spent in ill health has increased to 10.6 years. With ageing comes increased prevalence of serious illnesses such as cancer, ischemic heart diseases and stroke, which
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Roadmap for paediatric palliative care launched by Minster Kearney

Serious illness, death, and dying at any age is difficult territory for our society. Children and young people at the end of life stirs much deeper feelings and thoughts. Rather than shy away from those natural responses, Australia’s first ‘Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan’ boldly seeks to raise awareness of the issues and drive better access to palliative care for these special people in all our lives. Launched by Assistant Minister for Health and Age Care, Ged Kearney today (24 July, 2023) at Very Special Kids, Melbourne, the Action Plan is a roadmap that guides the way children and young people
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