Considering what is most important for you.
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What matters most to you?
“What matters most is something that is worth considering at all stages of our lives. What are the things that make life joyful? What and who do we value the most? What makes life worth living for us?
Consideration of what is really important to us means that we can be grateful that we have them in our lives and gives a sense of perspective on what really matters as opposed to things which are nice to have, but if they are not there, it does not matter that much.
Knowing what matters is particularly important for those people who have a life limiting illness. And it is something that is vital to know for health and social care professionals if the care they provide is going to be focused on the things that help all, patient and caring network, to make the most of whatever time remains.
Care planning in the palliative context has been focused around resuscitation decisions and place of death. These decisions are difficult questions without finding out how people want to live well first, rather than how they want to die. Health professionals are naturally reluctant to ask them, because many people do not want to talk about them and lose a sense of hope that life to be lived is still meaningful.”
Short Films
Watch these short films to help professionals raise these matters with patients and clients.
What Matters Most Discussion Starter cards
The What Matters Most for Older Australians Discussion Starter and card pack has been developed for older people using aged care services and those living with dementia.
They are designed to be used with health or aged care staff. They can help older people work out what would be right for them, if they were really sick or at the end of their life rather than waiting for a crisis to occur.
The resources can be used to help health and aged care workers and the older person to have these important discussions with the person’s family and friends. For the older person, it covers three areas: about you; about your health; and what you might want at the end of your life. It also contains a list of useful contacts.