If you are approaching the end of life, you may be offered care in a variety of settings. A palliative care team should try to organise for you to be cared for according to your wishes, whenever possible.
You may be able to receive end of life care:
- at home
- in a care home
- in a hospital
- in a hospice
Care at home
You may not need to move away from home to receive care, as end of life care can often be provided at home. Sometimes this is available at any time of the day or night.
To find out whether you can receive nursing care or hospice care at home, check with your GP.
In a care home
You may be able to receive end of life care in some care homes, where trained staff are available to look after you day and night.
In hospital
You may be cared for in hospital. Many hospitals have specialist palliative care teams who work alongside and support the hospital doctors, nurses, and other health and social care professionals.
Hospice care
Hospice care is provided by a specialist unit run by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counsellors and trained volunteers.
You may be able to get hospice care in your own home, as a day patient visiting the hospice, or as an inpatient at a hospice.
NHS continuing healthcare
If you decide to receive care at home, in a care home or in a hospice, you should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare.
NHS continuing healthcare is a package of care for adults arranged and funded by the NHS. It's available to people who have certain types of health and care needs.
It is free of charge to the person receiving the care. This is sometimes called "fully funded NHS care".
Help and support
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.
You are entitled to high-quality end of life care, wherever you receive it. If you have questions or comments about your care, the service providing it will want to hear your views.