'Living to the end: palliative care for an ageing population' is the theme for this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. Around the globe, hospice and palliative care services are planning events to mark the day. Some countries have taken the opportunity to organise an awareness week leading up to World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.

In Croatia the Centre for Palliative Medicine, Medical Ethics and Communication Skills is organising the Croatian Week of Palliative Care with awareness activities planned in different towns around the country. On World Hospice and Palliative Care Day a central event, a symposium, will take place in the capital, Zagreb.

In Japan, Hospice Palliative Care Japan is coordinating Hospice Palliative Care Week - a series of events around the country in hospitals and in the community. Events planned include a hospice palliative care symposium, concerts, open house events and a  photo exhibition.

Meanwhile in the United Kingdom  Hospice Care Week is taking the theme 'Hospice care, be surprised'  to highlight the inspiring and personal way that hospice care helps patients living with terminal illness add life to days, and extends to family and friends. This Hospice Care Week, local hospices are asking people to declare: 'I am hospice care'  to convey the message that hospice care is not about buildings. It is about people and communities – from the people who support and work in partnership with their local hospices, to the patients, friends and families who rely on them.  

You can read more about events taking place or register your own event on the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day website.