
Last Aid®
End-of-life literacy programs to build compassionate communities -
A Public Palliative Care Education initiative
“ You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life.
We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully,
but also to live until you die.”
— Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement
What is Last Aid®?
The Last Aid course is the educational basis of compassionate communities and helps to raise awareness on topics like palliative care, death, dying, grief and bereavement. The concept of Last Aid and the public knowledge approach to teach palliative care for the public was developed in 2008 by Dr Georg Bollig, an emergency care physician and consultant in Palliative Medicine. This program helps to educate the community about the basics of palliative care and care for dying people, delivered using standardised materials developed and updated regularly by the Last Aid International Workgroup.
Since then, more than 60,000 citizens have attended the Last Aid course, with over 4.500 Last Aid trainers covering over 21 countries like Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Lithuania, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Slovenia, Scotland and now Singapore, with the movement gaining traction globally. The Life Review holds the licence for Last Aid in Singapore.
Official launch
“The introduction of Last Aid in Singapore is a significant milestone in advancing end-of-life care education in Asia. Our goal is to equip as many people as possible with the knowledge and skills to support their loved ones through the final stages of life, fostering a culture of compassion and understanding." Dr. Georg Bollig, founder of Last Aid
Why is it important ?
As we transition towards a super-aged society by 2026, there will be a huge surge in the number of caregivers responsible for seniors. This will be further complicated by higher incidence of chronic diseases, and increasing demand on palliative care services.
A 2014 Lien Foundation survey found that 77% want to die at home, but only 27% do. Additionally only half (53%) are comfortable discussing their own death while a third (33.4%) would do so with someone who is dying.
There is an urgent need to provide end-of-life literacy to the broader community to support the needs of the changing demographics.
What are the benefits of the program?
Improves Mental Well-being and Reduces Stigma
By normalizing discussions around death, dying, and grief, the program helps reduce fear, emotional distress, and societal stigma, promoting better emotional and mental health
Builds Confidence and Skills in End-of-Life Care
The program empowers individuals with practical knowledge and emotional readiness to care for the seriously ill, enhancing comfort in end-of-life conversations and encouraging advance care planning
Strengthens Community Support and Integration
Through learning and reflection, the program fosters compassionate communities, reduces social isolation, and strengthens collaboration with eldercare and healthcare systems
What does it cover ?
Each face-to-face course is delivered by 2 trained instructors covering both education and reflection. Topics include end-of-life care, advance care planning and decision making, symptom management, and cultural aspects of death and bereavement.
The modules include:-
Dying as a normal part of life
Planning ahead
Relieving suffering
Final goodbyes
References
Last Aid Course. An Education For All Citizens and an Ingredient of Compassionate Communities
Citizens appreciate talking about death and learning end-of-life care – a mixed-methods study on views and experiences of 5469 Last Aid course participants
Public Health Palliative Care International: Become a compassionate city
