“Palliative care isn’t here to help you die – it’s here to help you live your best life possible.” 

Liz Tantau is still grieving the loss of her beloved husband of 20 years, Ian, but she’s determined to help people understand the importance and significance of the end-of-life journey. 

May 21 to 27 is National Palliative Care Week, aimed to increase understanding of the many benefits of palliative care. 

After months of palliative care at home, Ian spent the last four weeks of his life at O’Neill House, a specialised end-of-life comfort care centre in Prahran, Melbourne, before he died on 17 November 2022. 

O’Neill House, run by VMCH, offers a modern, luxurious, and homelike environment for up to 22 people entering the last phase of their life, and their families. 

Liz describes O’Neill House as a “beautiful place” where she and Ian’s family were welcomed and supported with “open arms”. 

Family and friends were free to visit at any time and immediate family were able to stay overnight with Ian in his room. In addition, an onsite apartment ensured someone was with Ian constantly in his final days, which the family incredibly comforting. 

“It was horrible when we took Ian from home with the knowledge that he probably wasn’t coming back. I promised Ian we wouldn’t leave him, and thankfully O’Neill House was a place where I felt I could honour the promise I made,” said Liz. 

This year’s theme for National Palliative Care Week is ‘Matters of Life and Death’ highlights the people at the heart of quality palliative care. 

Liz commended O’Neill House staff and their efforts to make the family’s time there one of ease, giving those Ian loved support to both celebrate the retired pharmacist’s’ life, as well as say goodbye. 

“The high level of care was incredibly comforting. The staff were all beautiful to him and although Ian couldn’t speak, you could see in his eyes that he was relaxed and secure in their care.” 

“After Ian passed something that will stay with me forever is the send off he was given by the staff. Their compassion and care was obvious as they formed a guard of honour and serenaded him with ‘Amazing Grace’ as he was carried from the home – it was beautiful.” 

VMCH CEO Sonya Smart was enthused that experiences like Liz and Ian’s are exactly the reason why VMCH chose to embark on this specific service offering. 

“We know around one in four Victorians who die each year do so without adequate access to palliative care, so we’ve been privileged to support more than 100 people and their families in their end-of-life journey at O’Neill House,” said Smart.  

“We’re also focused on advocating for palliative care planning to help ensure people’s last experiences of life are ones of comfort, dignity and choice.” 

Related: New end-of-life comfort care centre to open in Prahran