RETIRED journalist Wayne Currall is working to establish The Last Word, a free service to write the life stories of people in aged or palliative care.
Wayne is working with Palliative Care WA to use volunteers to write the stories of older people who may not have the skills or be well enough to tell their tale.
"When I finished working full-time a couple of years ago, I looked around for some voluntary work," he said.
"I wanted to give something back to the community. I came across a palliative biography service over east that used volunteers to write the life stories of people in retirement homes or in palliative care.
"I called to find out if there was a similar service in WA but there wasn't. It would be great to get something going here.
"My own mother died last year and it would have been nice to work with her on her life story.
"My dad passed away 11 years ago and he had some colourful stories to tell. I wish I had taken them down when I had the chance."
Wayne said his idea had got a good response and the plan was to try to bring over someone running the service in the eastern states to share what they were doing.
"We don't want to reinvent the wheel. It would be important to provide the right training and guidelines.
"The research I have done indicates that in a strange sort of way, telling their story gives people in the later stages of life permission to go.
"They have left something tangible behind for their families to pass on."
For more, email wayne.thelastword@gmail.com.
* A revised edition of Palliative Care WA's free booklet Palliative Caring is now available.
Topics include planning and decision-making; the role of a carer; providing care; medicine safety; respite; and death and bereavement.
It also includes useful website links and contacts to other organisations that can provide support to families and carers.
For a copy email info@palliativecarewa.asn.au, call 1300-551-704 or download here.
