A recent report by the Violet Initiative has shone a spotlight on a troubling crisis in Australia’s health system. The 2024 report paints a picture of declining prospects. Nearly three quarters of our public hospital beds are filled with seniors, the vast majority spending their last year of life in acute care. Currently in Australia, more than 180,000 people die each year. This reality only heightens the need for more compassionate end-of-life care.
Caring for dying patients in hospitals costs the Australian government at least $4 billion a year. Evidence indicates that anywhere from 8 to 11 percent of the entire healthcare budget is spent on Americans during their last stage of life. Second, it begs key questions about the long-term sustainability of such expenses. Alarmingly, just 14 percent of Australians have made advance care directives. This omission leaves most families vulnerable when they can least afford it—in their hour of greatest need.
The report calls attention to the escalating trend of hospital admissions for seniors. Too many patients experience burdensome and sometimes traumatizing hospital readmissions during their last year of life. The average total stayed in hospital for each is roughly 33-34 days. Annually, 12,000 Australians turn 85 years old. This trend is about to surge exponentially, with an expected five times increase in the number of people achieving this advanced age over the next five years.
Vibha Gulati is one of millions impacted by these disparities. Her mother, Bhusan, suddenly got the life-shattering diagnosis that she has ovarian cancer and only six months to live. Feeling abandoned by the whole health system, Bhusan decided to reject all medical treatment and choose VAD at home. This decision not only gave her peace but it enabled her family to deliver care in an environment they felt most comfortable.
Vibha talks to us about her mother’s experience and how that shaped the course of her life.
“I can feel her presence around me sometimes. So, it’s really, really lovely. But that loss is still there and it takes a long time to adjust to,” – Vibha Gulati.
Melissa Reader, pictured above, saw an increasing need for community support in dealing with grief and bereavement. In 2020, she took a preexisting platform and breathed new life into it, rebranding it Violet. This not-for-profit social enterprise offers critical resources, workshops, and retreats for individuals grieving and learning to live without their loved ones. As Reader explained, people come to Violet often feeling daunted and lost, not knowing where to begin.
“However, my spiritual belief gives me strength and gives me trust that I will meet her again and that she has not gone forever,” – Vibha Gulati.
Mitch Gibson, a grief and bereavement counselor at Violet, advocates for open conversations about these topics.
“People come to us saying, ‘I just do not know where to start’,” – Melissa Reader.
The Violet Initiative hopes to fill that gap, providing support and education to anyone traversing the complex journey of end-of-life decisions and grief. Over the past few years, close to 30,000 people have accessed Violet’s national network of guides as well as its digital support service. This creative solution allows users to interact with a voice-based artificial intelligence chatbot. It provides customized evaluations tailored to ensure their unique needs are met.
“These are the conversations I want to be having. This is the help I want to be offering. I didn’t ask for this to happen to me, but it did,” – Mitch Gibson.
Bernstein notes that users can converse at any time and in various languages, receiving a comprehensive assessment of their situation.
“I was only 56 years old, and I decided I wanted to work as a grief and bereavement counsellor and care for carers. As I had lived experience, Violet was an ideal choice,” – Mitch Gibson.
Australia is making lengthening strides, led by efforts like Violet. The experts cautioned that the country still has significant work ahead to improve care at the end of life. Kate Carnell paints a scary picture about the future of health spending.
“What we have is a really clever, voice-based artificial intelligence agent that talks to people in the manner of a normal conversation,” – Yaniv Bernstein.
Melissa Reader is working to change the way society thinks about and experiences end-of-life care. She points out that close to 90 per cent of Australians would prefer to age at home. For one, they like to be among friendly faces and places.
“People can have a conversation at any time, in many languages of their choice. And what they then get is a real assessment of where they’re at, what stage they’re in, what their needs are,” – Yaniv Bernstein.
Through community awareness programs, strategic advocacy and greater education, The Violet Initiative aims to change the way all Australians grieve and prepare for death. As our nation’s population continues to age, fewer can afford to ignore these vital concerns. It’s important for families and individuals to have resources available that best equip them to navigate their own decision-making journeys.
“We are sleepwalking into this century’s biggest economic and social crisis. Research indicates that eight to 11 percent of Australia’s total health budget is spent on people in their final stage of life,” – Kate Carnell.
Melissa Reader advocates for change in how society approaches end-of-life care. She highlights that up to 90 percent of Australians prefer to be cared for at home surrounded by familiar faces and environments.
“Up to 90 per cent of us want to be cared for at home for as long as possible with our family and our friends and everything that’s familiar to us, and the right services and supports. But that is not what’s playing out today,” – Melissa Reader.
The Violet Initiative seeks to transform how Australians deal with grief and end-of-life planning through education and support. As the population ages and more people encounter these critical issues, it becomes increasingly essential for families and individuals to have access to resources that empower them in their decision-making processes.
