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Receiving Terminal Diagnosis News
Key Highlights
- News of a terminal diagnosis is life changing and naturally will lead to all sorts of emotions and feelings of uncertainty about the future.
- Understanding what it means and finding the right support from professionals, support groups and loved ones can be especially important.n
- Knowing your Palliative Care options and focusing on quality of life can help too, such as managing symptoms and emotional wellbeing.
- Consider practicalities like legal and financial planning to ensure a sense of security and peace of mind.
- This guide includes resources for support for individuals and loved ones facing terminal illness news
Finding out you have a terminal illness is a major, life changing event for you and your loved ones. There’s no doubt it will cause you to feel all sorts of emotions and hearing the news can be a challenge for anyone at any age.
We’ve prepared a guide to provide important information and links to support for anyone facing the challenges of a terminal illness. At times, it might be overwhelming to read this guide – especially if you have just received some terminal diagnosis news.
You may find it easier to step away from reading this guide and take things at your own pace in your own time. If you need help navigating end of life care options, contact your local Alina Homecare Team.
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Support for someone after receiving terminal diagnosis news
If you or someone you know has recently received a terminal diagnosis, support is available. Here are some links:
Financial support
- Fast Tracked Benefits: The government offers a fast track system to access benefits when someone has received a terminal illness. This includes Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance, and Personal Independence Payment. Find more information and apply on the GOV.UK website.
Emotional & psychological support
- NHS Services: The NHS provides support to cope with a terminal illness, including counselling, support groups, and specialist palliative care. Find out more on the NHS website.
- Marie Curie: Marie Curie offers emotional support, practical advice and information for those living with a terminal illness. They also provide a helpline and online chat service. Visit Marie Curie for more.
Practical support
- Macmillan Cancer Support: If the terminal illness is related to advanced cancer, Macmillan charity offers a wide range of services like financial advice, emotional support, and practical help. Find out more on the Macmillan website.
- Hospice Care: Hospices provide care and support for people with terminal illnesses, including pain management, emotional support and respite care for families. You can find local hospice services through Hospice UK.
- Alina Homecare: We offer practical support for people who have received a terminal diagnosis in the form of Home Care, Live-in Care and Overnight Care. This can include Companionship Care and home help so you can focus on the things that are most important to you.
Community & peer support
- Support Groups: Joining a support group can provide a community you can feel part of as you’ll meet people going through similar situations. Many organisations like the NHS and various charities offer local and online support groups.
Legal & practical advice
- Citizens Advice: They can help with legal advice, financial planning, and understanding your rights. Visit Citizens Advice for more details.
If you need someone to talk to immediately, Samaritans is available 24/7 at 116 123.
Understanding your terminal diagnosis
Simply put, a terminal illness is a condition that cannot be cured and therefore limits life expectancy, resulting in death. As a result, getting terminal diagnosis news can be a lot to hear. You might feel shocked, in denial, angry, or sad – or a combination of all of these.
Of course, there’s no right or wrong way to react. Everyone is different. If you’re facing a terminal diagnosis, you should talk to your professional health care team about your illness, your prognosis and treatment options. This can help with making informed choices about your care and plans.
Key questions to ask your doctor
During this emotional and potentially worrying time, conversations with your care professionals should be clear and honest so you have the facts to make decisions.
When you make appointments, don’t hesitate to ask questions about your condition, treatment options, and both short term and long term care. If you have a terminal cancer diagnosis, talking to your oncologist will provide valuable advice about next steps such as treatments and how they may affect your quality of life.
For example, knowing the pros and cons, including side effects, of treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy can help make choices that fit your needs. You should also ask about Palliative Care. This type of care helps manage symptoms and improve comfort.
A specialised team provides Palliative Care to support your physical, emotional and spiritual health. If you have an appointment coming up, you can use this list of questions to help shape your conversation:
- Understanding your diagnosis
- What is my exact diagnosis?
- How long am I likely to live?
- How will the illness progress?
- Treatment options
- What are my treatment choices?
- What are the risks and benefits?
- Are there any clinical trials available?
- Managing Symptoms
- How will my symptoms be managed?
- What can be done to improve my quality of life?
- What should I do if my symptoms worsen?
- Support and Care
- What support services are available?
- Can you refer me to a palliative care specialist?
- What should I expect from hospice care?
- Practical Considerations
- What legal documents should I prepare?
- How can I manage my finances and benefits?
- What should I tell my family and friends?
- Emotional and Psychological Support
- How can I cope with the emotional impact?
- Can you recommend a counsellor or support group?
Navigating your feelings
Understandably, the emotional journey after getting a terminal diagnosis is likely to be a rollercoaster. Some days you may still feel hopeful while others, you might feel sad or anxious. Emotional changes are completely normal and it’s important to give yourself the grace to experience whatever you’re feeling. If you’re struggling, reach out to your care team for help in managing these feelings.
Telling your loved ones about your diagnosis can be especially difficult. Some people may want to deal with feelings by themselves before talking to others. Others seek comfort in sharing news with close friends and family. No matter what you choose to do, remember support is available. You can get help from your care team, support groups, or friends and family. Your local Alina Homecare Team is only a call away.
It’s important to give yourself space and time to grieve as well. Your loved ones will be grieving too, but make sure you look after your own feelings as well. If you need it, seek professional counselling or join support groups where you’ll find a safe place to discuss feelings and connect with others who are going through the same thing. Here are some of the key types of emotions you might deal with:
- Denial can be a natural way to cope. It helps protect you from shocking news. At first, you might find it hard to accept your diagnosis. You could seek second opinions or seek out alternative therapies.
- Anger is also normal. You may feel upset with your situation, with care professionals, or even with loved ones. You might wonder why this is happening to you or feel frustrated by the lack of control.
- Grief is another common emotion. Feeling sad is natural. It’s okay to accept and process these feelings. Seek support and when you’re ready, talk about your feelings with others to try and find some comfort during tough times.
Staying hopeful
While getting a terminal diagnosis can bring many challenges, keeping hope is important for facing this journey. Hope may look different for different people; it might mean you stay hopeful about spending quality time with the people you love or hope at finding peace.
Doing things that bring joy and being with loved ones can help build a sense of hope and purpose.
Everyone’s end of life pathway is different. Think about hope in a way that works for you. If you just received terminal diagnosis news, you may not be ready to even think about it yet.
Whether it’s making lasting memories of good times, experiencing genuine moments of joy, finding comfort in spiritual practices, or pursuing personal passions, embracing hope can improve your quality of life, no matter the situation.
Exploring treatment options
Navigating treatment options for a life limiting illness can also be challenging. Consider the benefits of extending your life and how treatments might affect quality of life. Your care team can help look at the good and bad sides of different treatments.
Complementary therapies with regular medical care can support with managing symptoms. Therapies can include things like acupuncture or massage. They may help manage symptoms, lower stress and boost overall wellbeing.
Improving quality of life
As you deal with news of a terminal illness diagnosis, your focus may shift from finding cures to improving your quality of life. To do this, think about what matters most to you in your time left. Talk openly with your care team about your values and priorities. This helps create treatment and care plans that match your needs and what you want out of your life.
Looking into Palliative Care is very important here. Palliative Care aims to relieve symptoms, pain, and stress, no matter how advanced the illness is. This type of care helps increase comfort and improve the wellbeing of you and your family during difficult times.
What is Palliative Care? How can it help?
Palliative Care is a special type of care aimed at relieving symptoms, pain, and reducing stress from serious illnesses. Unlike treatments that try to cure illness, Palliative Care improves the quality of life for people and their families. It’s important to know that Palliative Care can start at any point during a serious illness, not just at the end of life.
You can choose to receive Palliative Care in the comfort of your own home. A Carer can either provide regular visits at agreed times, or a Live-in Carer can move in to provide round the clock support. If you need help in the night, Overnight Care is available. This is where a Carer sleeps in your home or stays awake during the night to reassure you.
Along with Palliative Care, we also offer Emergency Care, At Home Hospice Care and End of Life Care. All of these care services help people live as well as they can with their condition.
Legal & financial planning
You may need to handle important practical matters like legal and financial planning after receiving a terminal diagnosis. Managing these arrangements early on can give peace of mind and improves the chances of your wishes being met. Think about creating or revisiting your will and making any updates. Check that your financial matters are in order.
Researching financial help or benefits for people with terminal illnesses in the UK can also lessen some of the financial stress during this time. Organisations like Marie Curie and Citizens Advice offer helpful resources and advice on these issues. You could start by checking the beneficiaries on your accounts, insurance plans and retirement savings.
Make sure these papers show how you want your things to be shared. Handling these details can help avoid issues for your family members when they are dealing with their feelings. Talking about these things might feel hard at first but it can show you care. It can help your family as they go through a difficult time to get more comfortable talking about your feelings.
Advance decisions (living will)
In the UK, there are legal and ethical points to consider for End of Life Care decisions. These rules help you keep control over your medical care and make sure your wishes are honoured. A key aspect is called an “advance decision”, “advance care directives” or a “living will.”
Advance decisions let people write down what medical treatments they want or don’t want, especially when they cannot speak for themselves. This could mean saying if they want life-saving treatments like CPR or breathing machines. It’s very important to talk about these choices clearly with a medical team and loved ones to make sure everyone understands.
Besides advance decisions, people near the end of their life have legal rights such as the right to refuse further treatments. They also deserve clear, caring communication from professionals. Making a living will can help people maintain dignity and respect at the end of life. It’s a legal document that lets them share their wishes for medical treatment when they might not be able to speak for themselves in the future. A living will also allows individuals to say what type of care they want, such as Palliative Care and how they want to manage pain.
Advance statements
Unlike advance decisions, advance statements aren’t legally binding. However, they allow people to share likes, values and wishes about future care. This can help professionals and loved ones honour these wishes. Unlike advance decisions, which focus only on medical treatment, advance statements include a wider range of care preferences. For example, someone might want to be cared for at home if possible, receive spiritual support from their faith, or have their favourite music playing nearby. By writing down wishes, individuals make sure their care involves more than just medical actions. It also reflects their values and what brings them comfort during this time in their life.
Power of Attorney
In End of Life Care planning, granting “powers of attorney” allows trusted people to make decisions for you if you cannot do it yourself. These legal papers give the chosen person the power to handle your finances, property, or health needs based on what you want. There are different kinds of powers of attorney. Each one has its own specific role.
A “Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare” gives someone the authority to make care choices. This includes choices about End of Life Care based on what you have already said you want. This type of legal setup can give you peace of mind. You can relax, knowing that if you can’t make decisions, someone you trust will ensure care matches your values. Choose someone you trust completely and who really understands what you prefer.
Understanding rights & benefits in the UK
Navigating the complexities of the UK benefits system can feel overwhelming, particularly when facing a terminal illness. However, understanding your rights and the financial assistance available is crucial for alleviating potential burdens. Several benefits and support systems are designed to assist individuals with terminal illnesses and their families.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Attendance Allowance | This is not means tested and provides benefits for individuals who require assistance with Personal Care due to illness or disability. |
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) | A benefit for individuals with long term health conditions or disabilities that affect their daily living or mobility. |
| Universal Credit | A means tested benefit for individuals who are on a low income or out of work. |
| Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) | A benefit for individuals who are unable to work due to illness or disability. |
For guidance specific to your circumstances and the help available, contact your social care professionals or organisations like Citizens Advice. They can provide tailored advice, connect you with relevant support services, and assist with applying for benefits and financial assistance.
Communicating with loved ones
Sharing news about a terminal illness with family and close friends can be very hard. It’s normal to want to protect them from pain. However, talking openly lets them understand and support you better.
Pick a time and place where you feel at ease to have these talks. Some people prefer a warm setting at home. Others might want a neutral space to help manage emotions. There is no right way to do this so simply choose what feels best for you and your loved ones. You know your situation best.
It’s recommended that you talk openly and honestly with family and friends about your diagnosis. Sharing feelings, fears and hopes can help your relationships. It also lets them support you more. You should be ready for a whole range of reactions as loved ones will have their own feelings when they hear the news.
When you’re ready, creating a supportive space for everyone to talk freely may help. This way, people can share feelings, ask questions and go through challenges together. Remember, talking is a two way street. Listen to loved ones’ worries and try to be patient as they understand and adjust to your new situation.
Talking about your feelings
Processing emotional pain brought on by a terminal illness is not easy. A support network can help a great deal. Traditionally, there has been a misconception that sharing your feelings is a weakness. Thankfully, this misconception has long since been dismissed. Sharing your feelings actually can show how strong you are. Be open about your fears, worries and sadness.
At the same time, try to listen to their feelings too as your diagnosis affects those you love as well. Supporting each other during this tough time can bring you closer together.
Supporting children & grandchildren through the process
Explaining a terminal illness to kids can be tough. They need clear, honest and detailed information that’s suitable for their age. Keep talking with them so they can share their feelings and ask questions. Remember, children often look to their caregivers to understand and handle their emotions. Show them how to cope in a healthy way.
Finding emotional support
Support outside your friends and family can really help. Many organisations and support groups in the UK offer help and understanding during this difficult time. These resources help you connect with people who face similar challenges. You can share your experiences and get practical advice.
Counselling & Support Groups for Terminal Illness
Counselling and support groups in the UK are very helpful for people dealing with the emotional and practical problems of a terminal illness. Groups like Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice UK offer different services to meet individual needs.
Counselling provides you a safe place to talk about your worries. It helps you process your feelings and creates strategies to cope with the situation. Talking with trained professionals, either one-on-one or in a group, can help manage anxiety, fear or grief that come with a diagnosis.
Support groups, whether in person or online, allow people with similar experiences to connect and support each other. They also provide practical advice. These groups create a feeling of belonging and understanding, which can be very comforting during tough times.
Online communities & resources
The digital age gives many tools and online groups for people looking for help and connection during terminal illnesses. Online forums, social media groups and websites allow sharing experiences and finding useful information in a virtual space.
Organisations like Macmillan Cancer Support run an online chat room. Here, people affected by cancer can meet, ask for advice, and find support services. These places let people stay anonymous if they are not ready to share their stories face-to-face.
For those wanting specific details or peer support about cancer, the Cancer Chat forum offers a special place for talking, asking questions and sharing experiences. Remember, online communities are a helpful addition to face-to-face support. They provide tools and connect people from different areas.
Living with terminal illness
Living with a terminal illness means adjusting to new challenges in your body and mind.
Adjusting to new daily realities
Adapting your daily life and what’s important to you can be challenging, but it’s an opportunity to try to focus on what matters most. For many people, this involves spending quality time with loved ones.
Talking openly with family and close friends is even more important. Sharing needs, what you can do and how much support you want helps ensure you get the right kind of help. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Whether you need a hand with chores, rides, or just some company, support is available.
Dependent on your capabilities and symptoms, trying to find things that make you happy could give your days some meaning. You might want to enjoy hobbies, spend time outside, or make memories with the people you love.
Maintaining a sense of normality
Maintaining a normal routine during a terminal illness can help you feel more comfortable and stable. Doing things you are used to, even in little ways, can give you a sense of control and purpose when times are tough.
Try to keep up with hobbies and interests that make you happy, even if you can only do them for a short time or change how you do them. These activities can divert your attention from the illness and let you focus on fun things.
Small acts of self care, like having a favourite meal or trying a new recipe, reading a good book, or listening to joyful music can improve wellbeing. It’s important to keep the parts of your life before the diagnosis wherever possible.
Physical wellbeing & symptom management
As terminal illnesses get worse, you’ll also need to manage your physical health and ease physical symptoms. Your care team is essential for creating personalised treatment plans. They help with specific issues, like managing pain, fatigue, or discomfort.
Talking openly with your providers about any changes or new symptoms is important. This helps them adjust your care plan. (Read our guide to ‘What is a Care Plan?‘ It ensures you get the best support for your comfort and quality of life. Remember, being proactive in communication is important for managing symptoms and improving overall wellbeing.
Managing pain & discomfort
Managing pain and discomfort is very important for improving the quality of life for people with terminal illnesses. Care professionals have many tools and methods to help with these issues. They can use everything from medication to alternative therapies.
Talk openly with your caregivers about pain. Let them know how it feels and how intense it is. This helps them choose the best ways to manage your pain based on what you need and prefer. Also, don’t be shy about discussing any worries or side effects from medications or treatments.
Keep in mind that managing pain is a journey. It needs open communication and changes over time. If you choose Alina Homecare, we can help with medication prompts and administer medication to make sure you safely keep to routine.
Holistic & complementary therapies
Some people find holistic and complementary therapies can help manage their symptoms and improve quality of life. These therapies focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of people.
Some complementary therapies, like acupuncture, massage therapy, and aromatherapy, are used to try to ease pain, lower anxiety, and help with sleep. These methods aim to promote relaxation, cut down stress, and balance the body.
If you’re interested in these kinds of therapies, you could talk them through with a care professional. Many hospices and palliative care centres provide these therapies as part of their complete approach to end-of-life care.
Terminal diagnosis symptoms
Difficulty sleeping
Struggling to sleep is common for elderly people and people with terminal illnesses. This issue can cause emotional stress, physical pain and side effects from medication. All these factors can disrupt your sleep and hinder overall wellbeing. It’s important to address sleep problems to improve quality of life.
Making simple lifestyle changes can improve your sleep. You can try having a calming bedtime routine, setting up a cosy sleep space, and avoiding caffeine or alcohol before going to bed. Remember, making sleep a priority in your self care can make a big difference in how comfortable and well you feel.If difficulty sleeping stems from anxiety, there are other ways of approaching the problem. Our Overnight Carers can stay in your home through the night for added reassurance and a comforting presence.
Tiredness & lack of energy
Tiredness and low energy are common for people with terminal illnesses. The body is coping with an illness and the side effects of treatments can drain energy too.
Palliative Care specialists can help by adjusting medications, ensuring proper nutrition and teaching ways to save energy. Small changes to daily life, like breaking tasks into smaller steps and adding rest breaks, can help conserve energy.
Don’t be afraid to accept help with chores, errands, or help with transportation. This way, you can save your energy for the things that make you happy and feel fulfilled. Our Domestic Care service can support with this.
Weight loss & loss of appetite
Weight loss and changes in appetite are common issues for people with terminal illnesses. The illness and treatments like chemotherapy can affect how the body uses food and lower appetite. This can lead to losing weight without trying.
Care professionals and registered dietitians often guide the process. It’s essential to talk to your medical team about any major weight loss or changes in appetite. They can look into the reasons behind it and suggest the right solutions.
Nutritional support is important too. This can involve changing your diet or, in some cases, using artificial nutrition. These methods can help maintain strength and manage symptoms.
Feeling sick & vomiting
Nausea and vomiting is common for people with terminal illnesses. This might be due to the illness itself or the side effects of treatments, such as chemotherapy.
If you have nausea and vomiting, your care team could give you antiemetic medications to help control symptoms.
In addition to medication, small changes in your lifestyle can help manage issues. For example, eating smaller meals more often, avoiding foods that make you sick and drinking liquids to stay hydrated can be good options.
Constipation & incontinence
Constipation and incontinence are common problems for people with terminal illnesses. These issues can happen for many reasons, such as side effects from medications, less movement, or the illness getting worse. A Palliative Care team is important in helping with these sensitive issues and making patients more comfortable.
Talking about bowel or bladder problems with your care providers is the first step to finding help. They can look for any causes, change medications if needed and suggest the right treatments.
To manage constipation, you might change your diet, drink more fluids, take laxatives, or in some cases, doctors may remove impacted stool manually. For incontinence, they may suggest absorbent products, bladder training, or medications for bladder spasms. Our Carers are available to provide incontinence care in these instances.
Breathlessness
Breathlessness, or dyspnea, is a common issue for people with serious illnesses. This is especially true for those with lung or heart problems. It can feel like you can’t catch your breath, there’s tightness in your chest, or you are simply short of breath.
If you have breathlessness, your care team could check for causes like fluid in the lungs, lung infections, or anaemia.
There are medications that can help. Bronchodilators can open your airways, while diuretics can help reduce fluid build up. Sometimes, oxygen therapy may be needed to raise oxygen levels in your blood. Along with these treatments, you can try methods like pursed-lip breathing or using a fan to help move air for some quick relief.
Loss of mobility
Losing the ability to move around is a common problem as terminal illnesses progress. This can happen because of weak muscles, tiredness, pain, and/or nerve issues. It’s important to keep as much independence as possible to maintain a good quality of life.
Working with a physiotherapist may be helpful. Physiotherapists are experts who look at physical limits and create exercise plans for individual needs. These plans focus on keeping strength, flexibility, and range of motion, which helps improve mobility and independence.
Along with physiotherapy, using assistive devices like walkers, canes, or wheelchairs can give needed support and stability. Making changes to a home, such as adding grab bars or ramps, can also help keep it safe and make moving around easier. This way, people can keep their independence for as long as they are able.
Our Teams can provide mobility support at home such as hoisting, help using the bathroom and transport to appointments.
Making the most of your time
Receiving terminal diagnosis news will inevitably change how you see life. How you spend your final days is something for you to decide for yourself; there is no right or wrong answer, and you’ll know best what you want to prioritise and focus on in your own way.
Some people choose to spend time with loved ones. Others want to enjoy a last adventure. You can go back to old traditions, plan special outings or have meaningful conversations. Focus on experiences that bring joy and connect you with others.
Bucket list ideas & fulfilling wishes
Creating a ‘bucket list’ can help you focus on your dreams and experiences that you want to achieve. This is a list of things you want to do before your final days. It’s a chance to find activities that make you happy, brings back old loves, or create lasting memories with your loved ones.
Your bucket list doesn’t need to include big trips or fancy adventures. Simple pleasures and the little things, like having quality time with family and friends, going back to a favourite spot or trying out a new hobby can bring just as much joy.
Making and working on your bucket list can give you purpose and excitement. Share your dreams with those close to you and invite them to share their ideas too. This teamwork creates shared excitement and helps you make wonderful memories together.
Creating lasting memories with loved ones
As time takes on a new significance, it’s essential to create lasting memories with those we love. These memories act as special keepsakes that offer comfort in later years.
Join in activities that build connection and bring about laughter. Plan family get togethers, take scenic drives, cook favourite meals or just share stories about happy times. It’s not about having big events but enjoying quality time together.
Taking photos, videos, or writing letters helps capture these moments. These keepsakes become priceless treasures. They save memories and strengthen bonds for many years.
Spiritual considerations
Facing a terminal illness often makes us think about our spiritual beliefs. This reflection can bring comfort and meaning during tough times. No matter your religious background or spiritual practice, exploring these areas can help you feel at ease, find guidance, and achieve peace.
Try revisiting special rituals, engaging in prayer or meditation, or connecting with spiritual leaders or mentors. These actions can offer support, build strength and help you deal with the emotional and spiritual challenges of end of life care.
Exploring your spirituality
Exploring spirituality at the end of life brings comfort and peace for many people. This doesn’t just mean religion. It can include personal beliefs, values and experiences that matter to you.
Some find this helps them connect to something bigger than themselves and supports them with taking care of inner thoughts, looking for answers to life’s big questions and finding comfort when things are unclear.
You may want to take a moment to think about what you believe and what gives you peace. You might feel better by spending time in nature, praying or meditating, reading religious texts, reaching out to a religious leader, or trying spiritual practices that feel right for you.
Rituals & practices for peace
Taking part in rituals and spiritual activities also gives some people peace during tough times. These practices help you deal with feelings, connect with something bigger, and find calm in uncertain moments.
Try out different rituals or practices that feel right for you and make you comfortable. This can include things like meditation, prayer, writing in a journal, enjoying nature, listening to relaxing music, or doing creative activities that make you happy.
Remember, finding peace is a journey unique to you. What helps one person might not help another. Keep an open mind and allow yourself to explore practices that help you connect with your true self and bring you calm.
Preparing for the final stages
Preparing for the last part of a terminal illness means accepting that death is approaching. It’s also about making sure you’re comfortable and treated with dignity. Talking openly about your care choices with family and medical professionals will help make sure your wishes are respected.
Think about looking into Hospice Care options. Hospice Care aims to provide comfort and manage symptoms for both patients and their families during the last moments of life. These talks may be tough, but they give you a chance to feel more in control and find peace during this time.
Hospice care options in the UK
Hospice Care offers complete help to people at the end stages of a terminal illness. It aims to provide comfort, manage symptoms and improve quality of life. In the UK, there are many hospice care choices. These include specialised facilities and services that care for you at home.
- Hospice UK is a top national charity. It gives information, support and guidance for those dealing with end-of-life care. They have resources to help you learn about Hospice Care, find local services, and get emotional and practical support.
- Hospices create a calm and caring space. Patients can receive 24/7 care from a team made up of doctors, nurses, counsellors, and volunteers. This team works together to make sure that the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patients are met kindly and with respect.
- If you don’t like the idea of leaving your own home, you can also receive Hospice Care at home. In the UK, more people are choosing to die at home than in care homes compared to any point in the past decade.
What to expect in the final days
Recognising the signs you may see in the final days of life sometimes helps individuals and their loved ones.
Of course, there is no set timeline for this final stage. As the body starts to shut down, you may notice a loss of appetite and drinking. The person might feel sleepy and pull away from socialising. Breathing patterns may change and the body’s temperature can go up and down. These signs show that the body is naturally letting go.
Hospice care providers know how to support families during this time. They offer comfort measures, help with pain and provide emotional support. Love, presence and a gentle touch can be very comforting in these last moments.
Quick questions
How do I tell my family I’m dying?
There will definitely be difficult conversations ahead but breaking the news to your family requires honesty and care. Choose a good place where everyone feels comfortable. Share how you feel and support each other while they think about the news.
What financial assistance is available for people with terminal illnesses in the UK?
You can find different benefits like Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Universal Credit. You should reach out to social care professionals or organisations such as Citizens Advice for help.
How can I manage my symptoms at home?
You can work together with your care team to create a personalised plan for managing your symptoms. This plan can include medication, ways to relieve pain, and emotional support through palliative care services.
Are there any therapies to help with emotional distress?
Counselling, support groups, and therapies from care professionals can all provide emotional support. They help people deal with grief and anxiety. These resources also teach coping skills and offer a safe space to share feelings. Cancer Research has resources available to help people who have just found out they are dying.
How can Carers help?
Our Carers are available to provide a friendly face, a listening ear and a comforting presence during the difficult times ahead. Our Companionship Care service offers emotional support and we also provide practical help around the home and supporting with advance care planning for the end of life.