End of life caring

Even if you’ve been providing care for a person for years, the last few weeks and days of their life can be hard.

Both you and the person you care for should have wills. A will lets others know what you would like to happen after you die.

Palliative care is care for a person at the end of their life.

The person you care for may die at home. This may happen unexpectedly, or it might be something you have planned for.

Even if you know the person you care for is dying, it can be hard to predict when the death will actually happen.

When someone dies, there are legal steps that need to happen. You don’t have to do everything alone. You can ask family and friends to help, and there is a lot of help available from government and community groups.

Grief is a natural response to any loss. That loss might be a death, or it might be for the loss of the person as you knew them. If you’re grieving, remember that you’re not alone and help is available.

If the person you care for can't manage their own health affairs and living arrangements, a guardian can be legally appointed to make decisions for them.

If the person you care for can’t manage their financial or legal affairs, a power of attorney can be given to someone else to make decisions for them.