A Bay of Plenty District Health Board speech and language therapist believes discussing death can be empowering for a dying patient.

With today's Conversations that Count Day focussing attention on Advance Care Planning (ACP) nationally, Fiona Hewerdine says discussing the end of our life's journey is beneficial for patient, family/whanau and loved ones.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board is encouraging people to talk about their wishes and preferences for their future healthcare and end-of-life care.

'The national day focusses on raising the profile of ACP.

'It's about being comfortable with having conversations about the closing chapters of your life and how you want those to unfold; communicating what is meaningful to you spiritually, physically, emotionally and in terms of healthcare.”

ACP is defined as the process of thinking about, discussing and planning your future healthcare and end of life care.

Planning in this way enables people to understand what the future might hold and to say what treatment they would and would not want.

Fiona says the process makes it easier for families and healthcare providers to know the person's wishes and preferences - particularly if they can no longer speak for themselves.

'That often reduces anxiety and stress and gives a sense of control. It's a great gift to be able to give someone, having these conversations. It can be like emotional and spiritual spring cleaning.

'Once they've done this people often turn up the gas on the living part. It's like ‘Right, what will I do in the time I have left?'.”

Fiona says there might be people to say sorry to, or someone to tell that you love them or whatever it might be.

'It's a very positive thing and is about the quality of living as well as the quality of dying.”

Fiona has worked in several countries in a 32-year career, during which time she has developed a special interest in palliative care.

She says ACP could be undertaken at any stage of life but three experiences frequently made people take stock: becoming a parent; being admitted to hospital unexpectedly; and being given a life-shortening diagnosis.

'To look after your loved one in the last few hours of their life it might be really powerful to have asked what they would like of you.

'This can guide your care. What would be important to them for you to do? Would they like someone holding their hand, or the windows open, music on, who would they like there? How do we know that if we don't have the conversation?

'That knowledge can help in the grieving process because for the family member it gives a sense of engagement and honouring their loved one.”

Fiona believes it's also important not to be left with ‘if only we'd known' feelings.

'The wife of a patient of mine had spoken about what she wanted at her funeral to others but not to her husband. He did not know so did not carry out those wishes. He found out afterwards what she really wanted and was devastated.

'Today is about starting the conversation.”