Embracing the End Expo

Join Penrith City Libraries for a candid discussion about healthy end-of-life preparation. The day will include an author talk, a panel discussion with funeral directors, palliative care experts and a death doula, and end the day with a law talk on wills and probate.

This day has been designed to help you learn more about how you can prepare for the end of your life and support others, too. The day is all about providing support and information to help you have conversations with your loved ones about death. Please bring your questions along for our hosts.

Agenda for the day:

10.30am – Why We Never Die Alone – Author Talk with Karon Coombs
11.30am – Morning Tea
Midday – Healthy End of Life Planning Panel with Niki Read and friends
1.00pm - Lunch
2.00pm – Planning Ahead – Law Talk presented by Western Sydney Community Legal Centre

The expo costs $10 per person and includes morning tea and lunch. Register for the Embracing the End Expo at Eventbrite.

A hearing loop is available upon request. Please email libmarketing@penrith.city, or phone 4732 7891.

Author Talk with Karen Coombs

Karon is passionate about bringing all her life experience, knowledge and skills to support people to navigate their journey of grief. Being a registered nurse who specialised in Palliative Care and Bereavement, she conceived and directed the award-winning documentary, 'A Part of You Dies'. Having personal experience with the death of her son, parents and friends has taken Karen to far deeper levels of personal understanding of grief which she brings to her work.

Healthy End of Life Planning Panel Discussion

Niki Read from LaTrobe University will be leading a discussion around healthy end of life planning with death doula and funeral director, Skie Denham, chairperson for Western Sydney Tender Funerals, Amy Sagar and palliative care nurse.

Planning Ahead for Future Decision Making - presented by Western Sydney Community Legal Service

This presentation aims to empower end educate older people and their families to use legal options to actively plan for a time if/when they can no longer speak or decide for themselves.

The presentation covers:

The main areas of life we may like to plan ahead for;

• Powers of Attorney;
• Enduring Guardianships;
• Advance Care Directives;
• Wills;
• Practical tips to plan ahead using legal documents (including the need to have "legal capacity");
• What happens if we don't plan ahead using legal documents and
• Where to go for extra legal information, advice and/or representation.