Hospice Isle of Man is working closely with Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man and The End of Life Matters group on the Island during national Dying Matters week. This year the week will be from Monday 8th May through to Sunday 14th May 2017.

It is a simple message of ‘Advanced Care Planning’ or ‘Putting Your House in Order’ to have a plan ready for when you die.

Chief Executive of Hospice, Anne Mills said: “We don’t know when this is going to happen but we are asking people to think about dying and what it would take to put your house in order during this week.” “This ensures that you can set out your own wishes and help family members to know what you would like to happen when death occurs.”

Guidance leaflets will be available at Hospice, in their shops or warehouse, at Cruse’s offices during the UK week of Dying Matters. They are also in all GP practices and libraries around the Island.

The timing of this week of awareness has been brought even more to the fore with the recent news that Princes’ Harry and William are highlighting the need for emotional support following the death of their beloved mother, Princess Diana, 20 years ago this year.

It is recognised that there are many aspects to death, one is getting organised to help support loved ones be aware of their wishes, while the second is to consider that the people left behind receive the support they need to help them cope.

Hospice offers a wide range of psychological support for children and adults. This is available to all Hospice patients and their families. At Hospice the current referral route is via a health professional but this is changing soon so that people can refer themselves if they need help and support following the death of a loved one.

Help is also available from Cruse, which is a charity that provides advice, information and support to children, young people and adults who have been bereaved, no matter whenever or however the death occurred.

As the recent Prince Harry story has indicated mental health can be an issue linked to bereavement by saying that he sought counselling 20 years after his mother’s death. Hopefully his statement will help people understand that it is okay to seek help at any stage or to discuss Dying Matters prior to or post the death of a loved one.

Get involved and pick up a leaflet? Please go to www.hospice.org.im or follow Hospice on Fabcebook at hospiceiom or Twitter hospiceiom; Cruse  www.cruseisleofman.org or www.facebook.com/cruseiom or End of Life Group www.elmisleofman.org, www.facebook.com/elmisleofman.