Advice for last weeks of life

So many people contact me wanting to look after a loved one at home, or because they are finding it difficult to navigate the complex healthcare system at the end of life. I experienced some of the challenges when I cared for a family member at home which prompted me to write End-of-life care: perspective of a relative rather than a professional 

I realised that if I found it hard to join the dots in a healthcare system how much harder would it be if you didn’t have a background in Palliative and End of Life Care and a working knowledge of the system.

If you recognise that someone you care for is becoming more poorly, and that they are not having treatment to cure then there is so much that can still be done. The goal of treatment changes to managing symptoms, supporting both the person and their family and this includes talking about where they might like to be looked after and where they would to be in the very last days of life.

Many people are not aware of the choices they have or, if they are then how to turn these choices into actions. Planning ahead means you have more control and ultimately choice in in your care at the end of life.

I believe passionately in proactive Advance Care Planning, this means putting plans in place as part of normal life instead of reaching a sudden crisis without the right plans in place. I provide free advice and support for families and a bespoke support as required.