Hospices Around New Zealand are Opening Their Doors for Dying Matters Week
Say the word “hospice” and most people picture somewhere quiet, clinical, and a little frightening, somewhere you go right at the very end. The reality, as anyone who has spent time with one will tell you, is something far warmer. Hospice care is about helping people live as fully as possible, for as long as possible, and supporting their whānau every step of the way.
Hospices provide specialised care for people with life-limiting illnesses, with a focus on quality of life rather than just treatment. That means practical advice, pain relief and symptom management, and physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Not only for the person who is unwell, but for the whānau around them too. Much of this care happens in the community, in people’s own homes, alongside grief and bereavement support that continues long after a death.
It’s this same generous, community-minded spirit that makes hospices such natural hosts during Dying Matters Week. Many local hospices see it as an important kaupapa, a chance to create awareness of the support available, open safe spaces for people to connect, and let communities learn from local experts and start conversations long before they’re needed. It’s also an important part of bringing death and dying out of the shadows and into the spotlight, showing that hospice is about living well, not simply a place people go to die.
Hospice events around the country
This Dying Matters Week, hospices across Aotearoa are opening their doors with open days, kōrero, and workshops for their communities. Whether you’re curious about what hospice does, supporting someone unwell, or simply want to start the conversation, everyone is welcome, nau mai, haere mai, hoki mai koutou.
Find an event near you below or view all Dying Matters Week events….
Seven days, seven conversations: making it easier to talk about death and dying
Talking about death and dying isn’t always easy. We can worry about saying the wrong thing, avoid conversations because they feel uncomfortable, or simply not know where to begin.
During Dying Matters Week we wanted to help make those conversations a little easier through sharing Seven days, seven conversations – a podcase series of conversations exploring death, dying and palliative care from a range of perspectives.
Hosted by Nurse Maude Hospice registered nurse Grace, the series includes helpful reflections from members of the Nurse Maude team who work alongside people and whānau at the end of life.
The six conversations are not intended to cover every topic, but to get us talking, and to help us stop into a conversation topic that can be challenging. We wanted to remind people of the importance of listening, and being present in these conversations and these moments.
Dying Matters Week Updates
Stay up to date with the latest events, resources, and discussions via our Dying Matters Week email newsletter.
