Friends of Hospice is continuing the conversation on death and dying with a community event this weekend.

The final activity of World Hospice and Palliative Care Week will feature a panel discussion and activities for participants.

Friends of Hospice, the charity supporting Agape House and hospice care in Bermuda, stated: “When it comes to end of life care, talking matters.

“There will be a panel comprised of physicians, a palliative care worker and a paster who will make a short presentation on their experiences with families — the good, the not so good and the challenging.

“There will be an opportunity to move from each circle of topics based on The Conversation project to provide individuals with information and tools to start a conversation.”

Friends of Hospice said the activities are based on the questions in the Institute for Healthcare — Your Conversation Starting Kit and people will be guided on “how to move through the challenges of starting a conversation in order to avoid the difficult decisions and family conflict that end of life brings when we aren’t prepared”.

As part of World Hospice and Palliative Care Week, the charity also hosted a viewing of the PBS Frontline documentary Being Mortal based on the book by Atul Gawande.

“There were over 130 in attendance, which speaks to the importance of Friends of Hospice making these opportunities available.

“Earlier this year, we hosted the first conversation and 100 people attended.

“It is evident that our community is ready to learn and discuss what they want to see at the end of life and how to have conversations with loved ones in order to make wishes known.”

The second conversation will be held at St Paul’s Christian Education Centre in Paget from 3pm to 5.30pm on Saturday.

• To confirm attendance, call the Friends of Hospice office on 232-0859 or e-mail info@hospice.bm