Culturally Grounded Palliative Care - Promoting Wellbeing and Healing at End of Life
Tracks
Room 1 - In-Person & Online
| Tuesday, October 22, 2024 |
| 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM |
| Room 1 |
Overview
Cindy Paardekooper, First Nations Palliative Care Alliance; & Eliza Munro, Ngiyani Wandabaa
Speaker
Miss Eliza Munro
Sorry Business Consultant
MacKillop Seasons
Culturally Grounded Palliative Care - Promoting Wellbeing and Healing at End of Life
Abstract
The returning to Spirit (palliative care) journey for Australia’s First Nations communities presents an intersection of cultural, spiritual, social, and healthcare perspectives, significantly impacting the wellbeing and healing for individuals facing life-limiting illnesses and their families.
First Nations patients generally present with multiple co-morbidities, complex cultural and social challenges and are often referred late in the last year of life. Most palliative care services are not equipped to adequately respond appropriately.
Culturally grounded palliative and end of life care embodies a comprehensive approach that respects and integrates First Nations worldviews, values, healing traditions and acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of the physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural and social dimensions of health and wellbeing. Traditional medicines and healing practices, storytelling, returning to Country, family and community care and support, are central at end of life and the ongoing journey of the spiritual passage.
Research indicates that culturally responsive palliative and end of life care interventions significantly enhance the wellbeing and healing journey of First Nations patients and their families. By honouring cultural practices and kinship systems, these interventions promote dignity, autonomy and comfort while mitigating feelings of isolation and disconnection often experienced within mainstream healthcare settings. Additionally, culturally grounded palliative care provides potential opportunities for intergenerational healing, reconciliation and the transmission of relevant cultural knowledges and wisdom for care.
By prioritising cultural safety, respect, and collaboration, healthcare providers can co-create care environments that promote holistic wellbeing. In turn, facilitating a ‘good death’ and meaningful end-of-life experiences for the patient, and supporting healing and resilience for the families who remain.
First Nations patients generally present with multiple co-morbidities, complex cultural and social challenges and are often referred late in the last year of life. Most palliative care services are not equipped to adequately respond appropriately.
Culturally grounded palliative and end of life care embodies a comprehensive approach that respects and integrates First Nations worldviews, values, healing traditions and acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of the physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural and social dimensions of health and wellbeing. Traditional medicines and healing practices, storytelling, returning to Country, family and community care and support, are central at end of life and the ongoing journey of the spiritual passage.
Research indicates that culturally responsive palliative and end of life care interventions significantly enhance the wellbeing and healing journey of First Nations patients and their families. By honouring cultural practices and kinship systems, these interventions promote dignity, autonomy and comfort while mitigating feelings of isolation and disconnection often experienced within mainstream healthcare settings. Additionally, culturally grounded palliative care provides potential opportunities for intergenerational healing, reconciliation and the transmission of relevant cultural knowledges and wisdom for care.
By prioritising cultural safety, respect, and collaboration, healthcare providers can co-create care environments that promote holistic wellbeing. In turn, facilitating a ‘good death’ and meaningful end-of-life experiences for the patient, and supporting healing and resilience for the families who remain.
Biography
Cindy Paardekooper
Chief Executive Officer
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Palliative Care Association Inc.
Culturally Grounded Palliative Care - Promoting Wellbeing and Healing at End of Life
Abstract
The returning to Spirit (palliative care) journey for Australia’s First Nations communities presents an intersection of cultural, spiritual, social, and healthcare perspectives, significantly impacting the wellbeing and healing for individuals facing life-limiting illnesses and their families.
First Nations patients generally present with multiple co-morbidities, complex cultural and social challenges and are often referred late in the last year of life. Most palliative care services are not equipped to adequately respond appropriately.
Culturally grounded palliative and end of life care embodies a comprehensive approach that respects and integrates First Nations worldviews, values, healing traditions and acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of the physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural and social dimensions of health and wellbeing. Traditional medicines and healing practices, storytelling, returning to Country, family and community care and support, are central at end of life and the ongoing journey of the spiritual passage.
Research indicates that culturally responsive palliative and end of life care interventions significantly enhance the wellbeing and healing journey of First Nations patients and their families. By honouring cultural practices and kinship systems, these interventions promote dignity, autonomy and comfort while mitigating feelings of isolation and disconnection often experienced within mainstream healthcare settings. Additionally, culturally grounded palliative care provides potential opportunities for intergenerational healing, reconciliation and the transmission of relevant cultural knowledges and wisdom for care.
By prioritising cultural safety, respect, and collaboration, healthcare providers can co-create care environments that promote holistic wellbeing. In turn, facilitating a ‘good death’ and meaningful end-of-life experiences for the patient, and supporting healing and resilience for the families who remain.
First Nations patients generally present with multiple co-morbidities, complex cultural and social challenges and are often referred late in the last year of life. Most palliative care services are not equipped to adequately respond appropriately.
Culturally grounded palliative and end of life care embodies a comprehensive approach that respects and integrates First Nations worldviews, values, healing traditions and acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of the physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural and social dimensions of health and wellbeing. Traditional medicines and healing practices, storytelling, returning to Country, family and community care and support, are central at end of life and the ongoing journey of the spiritual passage.
Research indicates that culturally responsive palliative and end of life care interventions significantly enhance the wellbeing and healing journey of First Nations patients and their families. By honouring cultural practices and kinship systems, these interventions promote dignity, autonomy and comfort while mitigating feelings of isolation and disconnection often experienced within mainstream healthcare settings. Additionally, culturally grounded palliative care provides potential opportunities for intergenerational healing, reconciliation and the transmission of relevant cultural knowledges and wisdom for care.
By prioritising cultural safety, respect, and collaboration, healthcare providers can co-create care environments that promote holistic wellbeing. In turn, facilitating a ‘good death’ and meaningful end-of-life experiences for the patient, and supporting healing and resilience for the families who remain.
Biography
Cindy Paardekooper, proud Kokatha woman from far west coast, South Australia, Aboriginal Consultant for Palliative Care Education Aged care and other Aboriginal affairs, in the Northern Territory, and South Australia. Cindy is extensively involved in national and state level palliative care projects, CEO for the First Nations Palliative Care Alliance and co-lead of the South Australian Approach to Aboriginal Comfort Care-Pathways to Palliative and Finalist in the National Palliative Care Awards 2023. Cindy maintains a strong desire to support and advocate for First Nations Communities to achieve improved end of life outcomes, maintaining strong connections to culture, kin and Country.
Co-Presenter Eliza Munro:
Eliza is a proud mother of five and spiritual woman from the Gamilaroi Nation. Eliza has a background in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, spending the last 20 years in government and community-controlled organisations contributing to the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Eliza is passionate about supporting the palliative and end-of-life care journey for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by enhancing culturally safe and responsive health services and raising awareness of palliative care supports for community. Eliza is also committed to enhancing death literacy within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, from advance care yarning, planning ahead for sad news and sorry business and sharing information that supports the grieving and healing journey following bereavement loss. Eliza draws motivation from personal experiences of not knowing loved ones wishes and being unprepared for sorry business.
