Who It Supports

People are generally considered to be approaching the end of life if they're likely to die within the next 12 months, though this isn't always possible to predict precisely. This includes people whose death is expected within hours or days, as well as those with an advanced incurable illness such as cancer, dementia or motor neurone disease, people who are frail with several other conditions, or those who could deteriorate suddenly due to an existing condition or an unexpected event like a stroke.

Depending on the illness, some people receive end of life care for a relatively short time, while others may live for a long while under this kind of support. A range of professionals may be involved, including hospital doctors and nurses, GPs, community nurses, hospice staff, counsellors, chaplains, and various therapists, depending on individual needs.

Good Communication and Respect

Good end of life care depends on clear, honest communication between the person receiving care, those close to them, and the staff involved. The team caring for you should listen to your wishes and concerns, explain your situation clearly, and treat you with kindness, respect and dignity at every stage.

Later Stages

As someone gets closer to the end of life, it's common to become increasingly sleepy, spend more time resting, and need less food and drink. Breathing patterns can change too — becoming shallower, with pauses, or occasionally noisy due to fluid at the back of the throat — which is a natural part of the process rather than necessarily a sign of distress. Healthcare staff will keep monitoring for changes and do what they can to keep the person comfortable throughout.

If you're ever unhappy with how your care, questions or concerns have been handled, every care provider is required to have a complaints procedure, and further support is available if you feel a complaint hasn't been resolved satisfactorily.