If you are approaching the end of life, care may be offered to you in a variety of settings. The palliative care team will organise for you to be cared for according to your wishes.
You can receive end of life care:
- in a hospice
- at home
- in a hospital
- in a care home
Hospice care
A hospice is a specialist unit run by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counsellors and trained volunteers. Many hospices offer care in your own home as well.
Find out more about hospice care.
Care at home
You may not need to move away from home to receive care, as hospice care can be provided at home. Sometimes this is available as a 24-hour service. To find out whether you can receive 24-hour hospice care at home, check with your GP or community palliative care nurse.
Find out more about care at home.
In hospital
In hospitals, there are specialist palliative care teams who work alongside and support the hospital doctors, nurses and other health and social care professionals.
Find out more about care in hospital.
In a care home
You can receive end of life care in a care home if you wish. In a care home, trained staff are available to look after you day and night.
Find out more about care in a care home.
Help and support
If you choose to receive care at home, in a care home or in a hospice you should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare.
Continuing healthcare is care given over an extended period of time to meet the physical or mental health needs of adults with a disability, injury or illness. It involves a package of care that is arranged and funded by the NHS and is free of charge to the person receiving the care. This is sometimes called fully funded NHS care.
If there is someone looking after you, such as a partner or relative, it could be helpful for them to get a carer's assessment to see whether they qualify for local authority help, such as respite care.
