AUDITIONS 22 Eastern Shore Sun MARCH 2023
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Changing views of palliative care
UDITION NOTI AN innovative state-wide awareness campaign is being launched to challenge perceptions of palliative care. The multimedia ‘Palliative Care - It’s more than you think.’ campaign has been created by Palliative Care Tasmania, with the support of the Tasmanian Government, to engage the community in a conversation about the benefits of palliative care. The campaign seeks to challenge perceptions that palliative care is a ‘last resort’, and will help Tasmanians better understand that palliative care helps people living with a life-limiting illness to live as well as they can by managing pain and symptoms, ensuring their quality of life is maintained. The campaign features a series of animated vignettes that remove any hospital beds, tubes or doctor’s appointments and instead focus on the possibilities palliative care can provide,
depicting activities not usually associated with palliative care such as golfing, fishing, gardening, travelling and even parachuting. “Palliative care really is more than you think,” Palliative Care Tasmania Board chair Sally Faulkner said. “It’s for anyone of any age – from babies to older adults – who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, and it can be provided alongside curative treatments, or when those treatments have ended. “The campaign is aimed at informing, empowering and encouraging Tasmanians living with a life-limiting illness to engage with their health care professionals early in their diagnosis, so as to live as well as possible for as long as possible. “People need to know that palliative care is available to anyone with a life-limiting illness, regardless of their
postcode, diagnosis, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status or place of care.” The campaign, which will roll out statewide over the next three months, also invites Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and multicultural communities across Tasmania to start a conversation around palliative care to break down some of the misconceptions and raise awareness of the services available. As part of the initiative, a suite of resources have been created to help people through those challenging but potentially powerful moments connected to the end of life. The resources are available in 11 languages. The campaign website, https:// morethanyouthink.org. au/ explains clearly and simply what palliative care is, who it is for, who can provide it, and where palliative care can be provided, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
Palliative care is about maximising quality of life. The aim is neither to hasten nor postpone death. The focus is on helping people with a life-limiting illness to live as well as possible, for as long as possible.
AUDITIONS Anne’s heartwarming tale HOBART audiences are in for a treat this April when the Hobart Repertory Theatre society brings the delightful musical version of ‘Anne of Green Gables’ to the Playhouse Theatre. Based on the beloved novel by LM Montgomery, ‘Anne of Green Gables – The Musical’ is a heartwarming and much-loved story for all the family. It follows the precocious and imaginative Anne Shirley, as she captures the hearts and minds of her newfound family and neighbours in the small farming community of Avonlea – simply through her own pluck and personality. ‘Anne of Green Gables – The Musical’ premiered at the Charlottetown Festival in Canada in 1965 and has been performed at the festival every year since. The show has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the Longest-Running Annual Musical Theatre Production. “So many people have a connection to ‘Anne of Green Gables’,” director Anne Blythe-Cooper said.
“Whether it was a story you read as a child, a story you read to your children now or a new modern version you may have watched on Netflix, the tales of friendship, coming of age and home appeal to all of us. “Anne is full of life and wonder. The way she sees the world is unique; her imagination is her most valuable possession and through it Anne transforms the difficult reality of her situation. “The musical numbers are delightful and there is much humour to be enjoyed in the story. “Every role in the show has something significant to contribute, down to our youngest cast member Caroline Senkbeil, who is only eight years old.”
Mrs Blythe-Cooper has assembled a local cast of 24 to bring this story to life, with Amelia Millington and Meophy Smith-Williams sharing the role of Anne Shirley. The show also features Jill Holloway and Raymond Dunstan as Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, Miki Brown as Anne’s friend Diana, Astrid Tiefoltz as Mrs Lynde, Will Norris as Gilbert and Eliza Smith as Josie Pye. Hobart Rep presents ‘Anne of Green Gables’ at the Playhouse Theatre from 12–23 April (Wednesday to Sunday), with matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For bookings, go to https:// playhouse.org.au or phone the box office on 6234 1536.
Palliative care is high-quality health care and support for people living with a life-limiting illness and their families. Palliative care helps people live as well as they can by managing pain and symptoms to ensure their quality of life is maintained as the illness progresses. Palliative care identifies and treats symptoms and issues associated with a life-limiting illness which may be physical, emotional, spiritual or social. Palliative care is a family-centred model of care, meaning that family and carers can also receive practical and emotional support. Palliative care may include: •
Relief of pain and other symptoms, e.g. vomiting, shortness of breath
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Medication management
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Food and nutrition advice and support
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Care and education to support better mobility and sleeping
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Planning for future medical treatment decisions and goals of care
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Resources such as equipment needed to aid care at home
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Assistance for families to come together to talk about sensitive issues
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Links to other services such as home help and financial support
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Support for people to meet cultural obligations
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Support for emotional, social and spiritual concerns
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Counselling and grief support for the person with the illness and their family and carers
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Referrals to respite care services
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Bereavement care to the family and carers once the person has died.
Visit www.morethanyouthink.org.au or talk to your health care professional Reproduced in conjunction with Palliative Care Australia Reproduced in conjunction with Palliative Care Australia
Classic holiday entertainment for the whole family
e “Isn't it nic at to think th is a tomorrow ith new day w es no mistak in it yet?"
The Musical Hobart Repertory Theatre Society proudly presented by arrangement with ORiGiNTM Theatrical, on behalf of Concord Theatricals. www.origintheatrical.com.au From the Novel by L.M. Montgomery Directed by Anne Blythe-Cooper
12 - 23 April bookings at playhouse.org.au
The cast of ‘Anne of Green Gables’ in rehearsals