Comfort, care and knowledge alleviate end-of-life fears
Two City of Logan residents are providing invaluable support and comfort to help people get their affairs in order and plan for their end-of-life care at a time which can be challenging, overwhelming and scary.
Known as end-of-life doulas, Kate Leotta from Park Ridge and Elena Ragonese from Beenleigh work with clients to ensure the rights of a dying person are honoured through their support and advocacy.
‘We journey alongside our client, their key people and health care and professional service providers,’ Kate says.
Elena, who also chairs the Logan Dementia Alliance, says they make situations less overwhelming and stressful for clients and carers by navigating for them through complex government and community services and ensuring they are provided with informed options and preferences.
She says their role encourages supported decision making, advance planning, holding compassionate conversations with family and friends and creating legacy projects such as memorial boxes and video montages.
Kate and Elena agree it is a great privilege to support a dying person and their key people to ensure their dignity and rights are upheld.
While focused on assisting individuals living with a terminal diagnosis, life-limiting disease or frail with age, they work with people over 18 regardless of their health status, personal and cultural identity and spiritual beliefs to assist them to prepare for life’s ‘just in case’ scenarios.
Elena and Kate will be part of a free end-of-life information session and services hub on Monday, 23 June, hosted by Logan Libraries.
Running from 10 am to 11:30 am at Logan Central Library, the session will provide details about the many decisions which need to be made towards the end of a life.
This includes advanced care planning, how to access care and support, financial and legal advice and spiritual support.
The session will feature guest speakers and information stalls from organisations including Services Australia, ADA Australia, Advance Care Planning Services, Carer Gateway, Mater at Home, Department of Health and the Disability and Ageing Local Network.
Bookings are essential and can be made by visiting lccqld.com/EOL
PHOTO AT TOP: (From left) Elena Ragonese and Kate Leotta are end-of-life doulas who work with clients to ensure the rights of a dying person are honoured through their support and advocacy.