'Conversations are happening' - Waterford people get to grips with palliative care

The All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) is urging Waterford residents to take a moment to consider the benefits of palliative care, and how it can support people, of all ages, living with life-limiting illnesses to live well in the here and now.

Palliative Care Week 2025 takes place across the island of Ireland from 7 - 13 September. Each year, AIIHPC works with its member organisations, the wider palliative care sector, charities and community organisations to raise awareness of palliative care. The campaign aims to increase understanding of palliative care and when it may be needed, and the benefits it can bring to the quality of life of those receiving palliative care.

Palliative care isn’t just for end-of-life care – it’s about helping individuals living with a life-limiting illness to live as well, and as fully as possible, today and for as long as possible. It puts the individual at the centre of care, supporting their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. It also supports their families, carers and all those close to them.

The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Living for Today, Planning for Tomorrow.’ It embodies the commitment of AIIHPC and its member organisations to highlight how palliative care enables people to have a good quality of life in the here and now, while also supporting people to make plans regarding their future, including discussing where they would like to be cared for.

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For 2025, AIIHPC is also delighted to share a photo competition to help capture what ‘Living for Today, Planning for Tomorrow’ looks like in communities across the country. People across Waterford are being invited to submit a photo that captures what this year’s theme means to them. The photos will be hosted on the campaign’s website, thepalliativehub.com, and a certificate and prize will be awarded to the winning photo entry at the beginning of Palliative Care Week 2025. To find out more, visit: www.thepalliativehub.com.

Karen Charnley, AIIHPC CEO, said: “During Palliative Care Week, we want people to better understand that palliative care improves the quality of life of the person with a life-limiting illness, as well as the lives of their family members. It improves their ability to participate in daily activities, including hobbies and routine activities. We also want to encourage people to have conversations with their family, friends, health and social care professionals about their future care needs. These conversations are happening, but it's in all our interests for them to become more normalised in our society.

“For this year’s campaign, we are delighted to announce a special photo competition that we hope will generate lots of interest and engagement from people of all ages. We invite people to think about what palliative care means to them, keeping in mind the theme for 2025, ‘Living for Today, Planning for Tomorrow.’ We are looking forward to seeing the different perspectives that people reflect through photography. See below for entry details,” Ms Charnley said.

Fintan Fagan, Chair of AIIHPC and Chief Executive Officer, St Francis Hospice, Dublin, added: “Most of us will encounter palliative care at some stage in our lives, and there are still several misconceptions about it. And many people aren’t aware of the breadth of supports available to them that could benefit them or their loved ones when diagnosed with a life-limiting condition. Whether you’re a patient, a carer, a family member, or simply part of your local community, understanding the benefits of palliative care can make a meaningful difference.”

For more information and how to enter our Photography Competition, visit: Photography Competition – The Palliative Hub.

Visit www.thepalliativehub.com to find palliative care information, including information about in-person and online events taking place during the week.

Also, visit www.thepalliativehub.com to request promotional materials if you are hosting your own event during Palliative Care Week 2025 (or by calling AIIHPC on +353 1 4912948).

Talk to your family and friends and share your wishes in the event that you have palliative care needs in the future, and encourage others to do the same.

Share your palliative care experience story on social media during Palliative Care Week 2025 using #pallcareweek.