Random Apps of Kindness: HELP App Simplifies Support for Those at End-of-Life this World Kindness Day
All it takes to be kind is a click. This World Kindness Day a new mobile app is making it easier than ever to coordinate personalised palliative or end-of-life care. The HELP App (developed by La Trobe University and delivered across the northern Sydney region in collaboration with Sydney North Health Network) makes asking for assistance straightforward and eliminates the guessing game for friends, family, loved ones, and carers.
Doing the gardening, walking the dog, shopping for everyday essentials, or driving to appointments may seem like ordinary tasks to many of us. But to someone with palliative or end-of-life care needs, support with everyday errands can make an extraordinary difference to their well-being, and that of their family and carers.
Studies indicate that almost 50% of Australians aged 65 and over who receive palliative care are hospitalised in their last month of life, indicating a need for better community-based support.1
Andrea Grindod has been caring for her husband for the past 3 years. In the early days, she often felt overwhelmed. Not only due to the demanding caring role upon initial diagnosis, but also by the pressure to manage everything else by herself.
“In the beginning I found it really stressful. Friends and family wanted to help both of us, but I found it difficult telling them what we needed because I was in shock, overwhelmed and scared. A lot of stress could have been alleviated if we had been able to let the people around us know what kind of support we needed at that time.”
Sydney North Health Network has funded a research collaboration with La Trobe University through the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Program to understand the use of the HELP App in the northern Sydney region.
CEO of Sydney North Health Network, Kevin Barrow said “The number of people aged 65 in the northern Sydney region is predicted to increase by 53.7% by 2041. It’s of the utmost importance that as a community we can better support people around us who are approaching the end of life with personalised, compassionate care. This research collaboration will enable more people to live in their own homes for longer, and feel greater fulfillment and connection as they approach the final chapter.”
As well as a being a carer, Dr Andrea Grindrod is the Director of the Public Health Palliative Care Unit at La Trobe University and founder of the HELP Program.
“I have such a personal affinity with the HELP App and program, as someone who has both interviewed carers and now have the lived experience of caring for someone myself. I know it can be very difficult for people to ask even those who are close for support. The HELP App makes it simple to request assistance tailored to your specific needs, putting care coordination back into the hands of individuals."
The ‘Healthy End of Life Project (HELP) App is a research-informed and evidence-based public health palliative care resource available for free on mobile devices. It’s designed to help individuals and families ‘take the lead’ and feel confident coordinating the practical and emotional support needed when caring for a loved one with a terminal illness, receiving palliative care, or at –end-of-life.
"As a family member or friend of someone at the end of life or in palliative care, you want to help, but don’t always know what is needed or when it is needed. This platform allows you to see where you can make a real difference to the well-being of someone you care about. Importantly, it can help you avoid carer burnout by sharing the load – I cannot emphasise how valuable this aspect of the HELP App is.” Continued Andrea.
How does it work?
The HELP App was designed to create close support networks, which can include family members, friends, neighbours or someone in your community.
Simply download App from Apple or Google Play and invite contacts to join your care network. Then create your ‘help list’ and add personalised tasks to start coordinating the help and support you need.
The HELP App is currently being used by over 500 Australians since its conception and is making a difference to those at end-of-life and their families.
Are you, or is someone you know approaching end-of-life?
To download the app for yourself, or someone you are caring for, go to the app store on your mobile device and search ‘Healthy end of life planning’. Read the Help App user guide here: https://healthyendoflifeprogram.org/resources/the-help-app-user-guide/
Are you a healthcare professional?
Register your interest in becoming a HELP Provider to gain access to the full education and training program, as well as exclusive resources to support your organisation to implement HELP Palliative Care Social Prescribing
- AIHW. (2020). Palliative Care Services in Australia.
About us:
ABOUT: Sydney North Health Network www.snhn.org.au
The Northern Sydney Primary Health Network, operated by the Sydney North Health Network – a not-for-profit organisation – is one of 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs) established by the Australian Government to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for the community. Our focus is on patients who are at risk of poor health outcomes. We work to improve the coordination of their care, so they receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Contact details:
Laura Baldock
Communications Officer
(02) 9432 8231
lbaldock@snhn.org.au
