Where would you choose to be cared for at the end of your life? It is a difficult question to think about…
Reading these resources with our loved ones may help us to discuss what we feel is in each other’s best interests. It can also make it easier to discuss our wishes with your GP and healthcare professionals. Sharing this information may help you to feel in control.
Time to say goodbye
Planning for the end of our life can help those who are left behind to grieve well.
Pre-bereavement advice that may help us to cope with difficult days is available from the Good Grief Trust
Marie Curie and Macmillan are two of the main cancer charities that produce excellent resources on supporting someone who is dying. Much of the content is relevant to any person’s death, even if they do not have cancer.
Macmillan offers information on supporting someone who is dying so that you can know what to expect at the end of life and know where you can get support from.
Marie Curie offers a free-to-download booklet on caring for a loved one while they are dying at home. It is supported by online videos for all the practical steps involved in caring. It also contains helpful information from benefits advice, as well as what to look out for as you care for your loved one.
Helix centre developed a toolkit to give advice on what we can do to practically care for someone in the last days of life.
Mary Stevens Hospice offers an advice and support line 7-days a week from 8am to 4pm 01384 445417.
Dementia
If your loved one is dying and has dementia the Alzheimer’s Society has information on end of life care for someone in the later stages of dementia.
Learning disability
If you are caring for someone with a learning disability to access appropriate palliative care, the PCPLD network has more information.
Mary Stevens Hospice offers information and tailored resources to help with palliative care. You can also speak to your GP to discuss whether a referral to the Community Learning Disability Specialist Health Service would be beneficial.
