The last stage of life is when an individual becomes frail or sick enough that passing away is likely within the next 12-18 months. This phase often brings significant changes and challenges, requiring a compassionate and well-prepared approach.

What to expect through the last stage of life 

In recent times, the shift from home to hospital care has reduced community awareness about death and dying. This change has created a gap in communication and support during the last stage of life, leaving many families unprepared for the natural processes accompanying this phase. Without open discussions about death and normal functional decline, families may not know what to expect, adding unnecessary stress.

Understanding normal functional decline can help alleviate some of this stress. For instance, knowing that people lose skills in the reverse order of how they acquired them in childhood can provide clarity and comfort.

Talking about and planning for the last stage of life 

As a society, planning is common for many stages of life - pregnancy, birth, childhood, adolescence, marriage, career changes, and retirement. However, planning for the last stage of life is often neglected, leading to doing too little or too late.

Healthcare systems are crucial in building awareness, encouraging planning, and facilitating communication. These conversations should start in the community, often with a GP, long before a medical emergency arises. Discussing how bodies and mental health might change with age, frailty, or illness is essential.

It's not just the responsibility of GPs to start these discussions. Families, aged care staff, and healthcare providers across all settings should feel empowered to talk about priorities, attitudes, and beliefs alongside treatment options. Documenting these preferences is fundamental to providing compassionate care.

Recognising the last stage of life as an important phase allows for values and preferences to be discussed earlier. Despite societal taboos and cultural practices that may limit these conversations, it is crucial to help individuals prepare for what lies ahead. Open discussions about life, living, and what matters most ensure a dignified and compassionate last stage of life.

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