Palliative care 'gives me strength' that there's still good life to be lived, patient says, as carers call for better education on available services

Stanley Geebung said he was given a "second chance" at life thanks to the efforts of palliative care workers, as a national survey reveals three-quarters of Australians will likely utilise the service but many do not understand the type of care it offers. Key points: Fewer than one-third of Australians think GPs can provide palliative care, a national survey finds Pallative care is holistic care of somebody's physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs It is a family-centred model of care, meaning family and carers can also receive practical and emotional support The annual survey by Palliative Care Australia found only four in 10 Australians know a person can ask for palliative care when they are first diagnosed with a terminal, chronic, or degenerative illness as carers call for better education around available services. Ms Walker said palliative care professionals help someone "live your best life". "When I suggested palliative care to him and his wife, his wife's immediate reaction — and they're very open people — was 'but isn't that when he's at the dying point? She also said palliative care was something that could be accessed by children, young adults, adults, older people — "anyone who has a terminal or degenerative illness, which does not necessarily mean end of life".