Dying Matters Week Supported At Lancashire Care Home
FAMILIES in Skelmersdale, Lancashire are being urged to have ‘OPEN and HONEST’ discussions around the subjects of death and bereavement.
Stocks Hall Care & Nursing Group in Skelmersdale, welcomed members of the public and local community into its Skelmersdale Care Home in support of Dying Matters Awareness Week which runs from May 18 – 24.
Dying Matters and their coalition members host a range of events around the country every May with the aim of getting people to talk and think about dying and bereavement and making plans for their end of life.
Manager of Home, Sue King said: “Stocks Hall is one of the many organisations across the country which has been involved with Dying Matters Awareness Week. We are delighted to support this national initiative once again.”
The Home hosted an informative, yet thought-provoking awareness raising event on Tuesday 19th May 2015. Members of the public were invited to listen to a range of guest speakers who covered this year’s Dying Matters themed motto,‘Talk, Plan, Live’, encouraging attendees to have open and honest discussion and making plans for the future.
Guest speaker, Sara Bellringer, Wills & Probate Solicitor at Scott Rees & Co, based in Skelmersdale said “Thinking ahead and putting plans in place for yourself or a loved one is a good and positive thing to do. Whenever someone has decided how they wish their estate to be dealt with along with any specific requests in relation to funeral arrangements it means that those who have been bereaved do not have such issues to consider and as such, it alleviates further stress and strain from an already difficult situation.”
Speaking about the event, Manager of the Home, Sue King said: “Death isn’t something that we like to talk about, but for an individual or their loved ones facing the end of life, clear and professional advice on how best to make those difficult decisions is invaluable for all concerned.”
“Everyone deserves to die well, but a good death can only be achieved if others know what we would want. We want people to feel more comfortable discussing their wishes with loved ones so they can decide what is right for them.”
Attendees at the event were also able to gain relevant information from a number of exhibitors, which included St. Paul’s Church, GreenAcres Woodland Burials, Colourful Coffins and Queenscourt Hospice.
Locals were then invited to stay and enjoy free refreshments – and a chat about life and death.
Sue summarised “This isn’t a gloomy event, it’s an honest and open opportunity to spark interesting conversations, from cakes to coffins!”
As the elderly population in the UK grows death is inevitably going to become increasingly an issue of greater importance. Although talking about death is not easy, the more we can do so, the more chance we have of improving people’s chances of dying with their wishes and needs being met.
We only get one chance to have our dying wishes met, which is why it’s vital to talk, plan and make arrangements for the end of life – before it’s too late.
New research for the Dying Matters Coalition shows that the majority of people in Britain have not discussed or made any plans for when they die. Discussing and considering preferences can help to make a plan, which could be helpful in the future. Whether it is through sharing wishes with someone close, registering to become an organ donor, writing a will, considering taking out a funeral plan or making an effort to speak to someone who has been recently bereaved, members of the public can take small actions that make a real difference.
The Stocks Hall Nursing & Care Group wish to thank everybody who has contributed to this event. Donations from the raffle which took place on the day have been donated to Queenscourt Hospice, Southport.
For more information about Dying Matters Awareness Week visit to dyingmatters.org