The USA has just passed a sombre milestone – 100,000 deaths from Covid-19. So what does this outcome show us about the intersection between health and politics? In a reflection which is echoed in reportage and analysis by many from all over America, CNN’s Stephen Collinson says: “A Columbia University … Read more
So what sort of end of life decisions might need to be made if you suffering from Covid-19? Like advance care planning with other diseases, you are stepping through a series of “If, then”s. Here’s information from the UK’s Royal College of Physicians about what happens in Covid-19 critical care. … Read more
We’ve found a good, practical, user-friendly resource that can help you with advance care planning if you become ill with Covid-19. The following message comes from, the US, one of the busiest countries dealing with Covid-19. Thank you very much to Colorado Care Planning at https://coloradocareplanning.org/ who helped us track … Read more
Jenny McFadden has started a Facebook group, Covid Safe Elders Australia. People can get in touch with the group and share their concerns about the way the elderly are being managed during Covid-19. “We’re interested in people who have experiences and stories about aged care. These experiences can help us … Read more
11 steps to a good death – during Covid-19, these strange times. Strange is the right word for now. It is non-judgmental. It says this Covid-19 crisis is different, unfamiliar, something new to be navigated. The following list is adapted from the steps outlined in A Good Death: a compassionate … Read more
As Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an ‘early mark’ for Australians on social distancing restrictions from Saturday 2 May, 2020, because of our success in controlling Covid-19, the spotlight stays on the continuing sources of outbreaks – including aged care facilities. Scrutiny will ensure we don’t have a sudden … Read more
Over the weekend Ann Fahey, 76, a resident who twice before had tested negative to it, died of Covid-19. She was the fourteenth person to die at Newmarch House, where by Sunday night, 23 residents and 26 staff had tested positive to the virus. On Sunday, Jodi McKay Leader of … Read more
By yesterday (April 20) Anglicare’s Newmarch House, in Sydney’s western suburbs, had reported two deaths and 41 infections with Covid-19. This follows six deaths at the Dorothy Henderson aged care facility in Sydney’s Macquarie Park, after infections there last month. No nursing home wants to repeat that experience. So this … Read more
Patients who need resuscitation are being managed very differently because of Covid-19, something that is causing concern for emergency medicine specialists. They fear that resuscitation efforts won’t meet the standard we are used to in emergency departments, so non-Covid-19 patients will become ‘collateral damage’. “I understand that we need to protect … Read more
Palliative care specialist MICHAEL BARBATO writes and teaches about how to bring love and kindness to the dying. Here are his thoughts on the challenges to this goal with Covid-19. He also has a terrific recommendation to read, Rachel Coghlan’s piece on “small but potent acts of compassion.” See the … Read more
Dr Michelle Atchison agrees with Matthew that, as Covid-19 imposes isolation on the grieving, it is an important time for professionals in the grief area to reach out to their patients. She is the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Chair of Private Practice, and also works in … Read more
Our neighbourhoods are full of people with wisdom to share, especially on the subject of grief. We can all learn from them, especially now with Covid-19. Here is Robin Low’s story and word of wisdom. I grew up in a gorgeous family, with lots of support. But it was an … Read more
CEO of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, Chris Hall, shares some thoughts on the lessons we can learn from the first war of the twentieth century. Covid-19 will change our sense of self. Some of the clues to how this will happen come from looking at World War … Read more
In the era of Covid-19 communication and information to support the improvement of death, dying and grief in our culture is doubly important. Good Grief! serves this purpose. https://mailchi.mp/44584b5819fc/a-update-from-good-grief-about-covid-2241813 To sign up please go to: http://eepurl.com/dmYkjL To read regular updates in between, go to the Good Grief! website at: https://good-grief.com.au Thank … Read more
The US Center for Diseases Control( CDC) has reversed its advice on face masks, to help control the spread of Covid-19. It now says we should all wear them in public and this contradicts what it said before. In Australia we have also followed the advice not to wear face … Read more
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