Thinking about how you will be remembered is common as people get older, and especially people who are nearing the end of their life. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

How would you like to be remembered?

The question of whether someone wants to go home to die or stay in hospital can be difficult to answer on the spot, without a chance to think about or discuss it privately first. But this happens quite a lot. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

If you had to decide whether to die at home or in a hospital, which would you choose?

Traditions can be complex subjects. Every person and family is unique, and in end of life care settings you often have to ask for what you want. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

What cultural, religious or family traditions are important to you?

The important things in life, and daily life, are different for every person and can change. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

What is important to you?

Mental wellbeing is important to people's experience of end of life. Feelings of strength, comfort and happiness make a huge difference to their quality of life. Here are some ways to give someone the chance to talk about what makes them feel happy.

What makes you happy?

Family, friends and carers can help someone who is dying feel comfortable. But problems can happen when people have different views. Ultimately, the dying person should decide who is involved in making decisions. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

How involved would you like your family and carers to be in decisions about your care?

Checking in with a carer who is caring for, or who has lost, a loved one can cause anxiety. But you don't have to guess what their needs are. Often it's best just to ask. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

Checking in with someone who's caring for, or has lost, a loved one.

End of life care is about living well until you die. The most important things are not the same for everyone, and every moment matters. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

How do you want to spend your time?

Most people agree that, at the end of life, it's important to talk about their preferences for care during this time. But only a quarter of people actually do talk about it. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

If your condition gets worse, what would you like me to do?

Illness can affect how someone feels about intimacy and relationships. Many people find it hard to start talking about it. Surroundings and changes to your body can affect how you feel about your sense of self, your sexuality and your relationships. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

Intimacy and relationships

It's natural to want to help someone with an illness, or someone caring for someone who's dying, or someone who has cared for someone who has died. For some people accepting help, and feeling okay to decline help, can be hard. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

What do you want help with?

What gives meaning to people's lives is as diverse and unique as people are. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

What gives meaning to your life?

Feeling strong, comfortable and happy are big factors in people’s mental wellbeing and therefore their experience of illness and the end of their life. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

What helps you feel at your best?

It's very common to feel fear at one time or another when confronting illness or death. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

What worries you or scares you?

Some people like to be involved in every decision about their care. Some people prefer to leave it to others. The most important thing is that the person who is dying gets to have a say and be as in control as they want to be. Here are some examples of things to think or talk about.

How involved would you like to be in decisions about your care?

Families and friends are an important part of many people's lives. Some relationships can also be difficult. Here are some ways to start a conversation and give someone a chance to talk about which people are most important to them right now.

Who are the most important people in your life?

Carer support services

Advocacy services

Parents, pregnancy, and children services

Aged care services

Cancer support service

Cemetery or crematorium

Community services

Counselling services

Culturally and linguistically diverse services

Funeral or memorial service

Grief and bereavement

Mental health service

Palliative care service

Social support

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services

Click any category to search services. You can then refine your search by location, language, cost or other filters.

For people in north, west and central Melbourne

Find someone to talk to

Get help at home

Meet new people

Be more active

Get symptom and pain support

Find help for carers

Plan for the future

Manage your money

Social Support Group Program offers recreational activities for people that need extra support. The program provides transport, meals and assistance from trained staff. Eligibility and assessment criteria apply.





City Of Melbourne - Social Support Group Program

A Pat, Chat And A Walk A Day is a social group that recognises the importance of exercise, social connection and company.  Local community members can take walks together, bring their pets and meet new people in their community. 


Council on the Ageing Victoria - A Pat, Chat And A Walk A day

Gen Next is a social group for young people living with HIV. It is a safe and confidential space where young people can meet other young people 30 and under.

The groups catch up regularly and talk about things like disclosure, sex and relationships or anything else at monthly discussion nights and events.

Living Positive Victoria - Gen Next Social Group

Socialising and connecting with other people is great for wellbeing. This section helps you find social groups and activities in your community.

The Elders On The Move social support group offers a home support program to eligible elders living in the community. The group offers the opportunity to come together and have a yarn as well as a range of activities including; social, cultural, arts and craft, music, cooking, light exercise and outings. Transport is available to and from the group.

Hume City Council Services for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community - Elders On The Move Support Group

Northern Health's social support group program provides activities and socialisation for older people living in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

This includes:

- connecting with others through hobbies and leisures
- gentle exercise sessions 
- health education sessions
- group lunches.


Northern Health - Social Support Group Program

South Yarra Good Karma Network is a great place to receive and offer help from other friendly locals.

Good Karma Effect - South Yarra Good Karma Network

The Kensington Good Karma Network is a safe and positive online group where people are empowered to ask for help and respond to requests from others in their community.

Good Karma Effect - Kensington Good Karma Network

### Socialising and connecting with other people is great for wellbeing. This section helps you find social groups and activities in your community.

Social activities boost your mood, keep your mind sharp and help maintain good emotional health. In this section you will find information and services like social groups and arts activities. Precious Time lists services for a wide range of people and situations. Most are open to all types of people, including people with a specific illness, carers, family, friends and people who are grieving. There are services for communities, cultural groups and people who speak languages other than English.

Meet new people

Socialising and connecting with other people is great for wellbeing. This section helps you find social groups and activities in your community.

Conversation starters

How do you want to spend your time?

Related categories

Conversation starters

What gives meaning to your life?

Related services:

City Of Melbourne - Social Support Group Program

Council on the Ageing Victoria - A Pat, Chat And A Walk A day

Living Positive Victoria - Gen Next Social Group

Hume City Council Services for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community - Elders On The Move Support Group

Questions

How do I tell people that I am dying?

How do I find services for LGBTIQ people?

Who do I need around me at the end of my life?