End of Life Care

What does End of Life mean?

People are considered to be approaching end of life when they have been informed by their doctor that they are likely to die within the next 12 months, although, it is not always possible to predict.

If you are approaching end of life, or caring for someone who is, and you want to find out more about the care and support available to you, contact your GP, who is your main point of contact regarding all of your health needs.

It is your right to be able to access excellent standards of care and support at end of life and you should be entitled to choose where you want the care and support you need to be provided. This is called a ‘Person Centred Approach’ and means that your support is tailored to you.

Find out more about End of life person centred approach.

Caring for Someone at End of life

The NHS have also prepared a poster on how you can care for someone practically in their last days or hours of life. Find more on Practical Care for a Dying Person.

If you are caring for someone with a terminal illness that takes 35 hours or more, then you may be eligible for Carers Allowance, you can apply online.

Dying Matters

Dying Matters is a coalition of 32,000 members across England and Wales that aims to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life.

They provide access to information and resources to help people be more open about their own experience of end-of-life. They offer an opportunity to connect with an online community of people and offer a means to find help near you. Visit the Dying Matters website to access their resources.

After death wishes.

It is important to talk to someone - a loved one, healthcare professional, a friend - and share your after-death wishes with them, e.g. where you want to die. By doing this, you are helping your family to give you everything that you wanted, without them having to second guess their decisions on whether or not they are doing the 'right' thing in your name.

Making a Will.

Dying without a Will can cause significant additional stress for loved ones at an already difficult time. Members of your family could receive less than you or they expected, and you could leave them with an unnecessary financial mess. By making a will you are showing care and concern for your family as well as directing what happens to your property and possessions after your death. And it doesn’t have to be expensive.

Planning a funeral.

Think about how you want to be remembered/ celebrated- what would you like people to know before you die? Tell your family about the kind of funeral you want, the songs you want to be played and who you want to attend. It is important to think about a funeral plan and the costs it could bring to your family.