End of life care involves treatment, care and support for people who are nearing the end of their life. It's an important part of palliative care. It's for people who are thought to be in the last year of life, but this timeframe can be difficult to predict. Some people might only receive end of life care in their last weeks or days. 

End of life care aims to help you to live as comfortably as possible in the time you have left. It involves managing physical symptoms and getting emotional support for you and your family and friends. You might need more of this type of care towards the end of your life. End of life care also involves talking to you and your family and friends about what to expect towards the end of your life. The people looking after you will talk to you about your needs and wishes, and make sure they consider what you want in the care they provide.

When a family member is diagnosed with limited life expectancy, he or she often has a strong desire to spend the final days in the comfort of home. However, caring for a loved one at the end of life can be emotionally challenging and physically exhausting. It's important that families have access to compassionate and supportive end of life care services.

At Getacare, we believe that every family should have the support services they need during the end of life transition. Through our end of life care services, our Nurses and caregivers will do all that we can to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible as they make this transition. We will also support you and your family, providing a helping hand whenever you need one.

Specialist palliative care professionals are experts in providing palliative care and will have training and experience in this area. They might be involved in managing more complex care problems. Specialists usually work in teams to provide joined-up care and you might see one or more specialists if you're referred to them.

Palliative care is often misunderstood and some people believe things about it that aren't true.

MYTH: If I need palliative care it means I'll have to go to a palliative care centre
FACT: You can receive palliative care in a range of settings including in your home, a hospital, a care home or a palliative care centre.

MYTH: If I have palliative care it means my doctors have given up and I'll no longer receive active treatment for my illness
FACT: You can receive palliative care alongside treatments for your illness, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

MYTH: Having palliative care means I'm going to die soon
FACT: You can receive palliative care at any point in your illness. Some people receive palliative care for years, while others will receive care in their last weeks or days.

MYTH: If I have palliative care I'll no longer be seen by other specialists who know about my particular disease
FACT: You can receive palliative care alongside care from the specialists who have been treating your particular illness.

MYTH: Palliative care is just about treating pain and other physical symptoms
FACT: Palliative care aims to provide a holistic approach to give you the best quality of life possible. This means caring for all your physical, emotional, psychological, social and other needs.

MYTH: Palliative care isn't for family and friends
FACT: Palliative care teams are aware that your illness may have a big impact on your family members and friends. Palliative care teams do what they can to help people cope.

Caring for a dying loved one isn't easy. Even when you know the end of life is approaching, you might not feel prepared. Understanding what to expect — and what you can do to increase your loved one's comfort — can help.

Your loved one might have choices for end-of-life care. Options might include:

Most people prefer to die at home or in the home of a family member. You can assume the role of caregiver or hire home care services for support. Hospice care — services that help ensure the highest quality of life for whatever time remains — can be provided at home as well.

Inpatient care. Some people might prefer round-the-clock care at a nursing home, hospital or dedicated inpatient hospice facility. Hospice and palliative care — a holistic treatment approach intended to ease symptoms, relieve pain, and address spiritual and psychological concerns — can be provided in any of these environments.

Seek clarity about the type of care your loved one wants at the end of life. Many people approaching death choose to stop treatments that cause significant side effects, preferring treatments that improve comfort. Your loved one also may prefer to die free from the burdens of life-support machines such as ventilators and dialysis machines.

You may worry that stopping these types of treatments will hasten your loved one's death, but studies show that focusing on symptom control does not generally shorten life, and may even extend it, while helping your loved one experience a peaceful death.

When you discuss the options with your loved one, consider his or her preferences as well as special physical, emotional and psychosocial needs. Evaluate how much support can be provided by family members and friends. For help determining the best option, talk with your loved one's health care team or a social worker. You might ask for a referral to palliative or hospice care specialists — health care providers trained in specific care for people nearing the end of life.

As your loved one approaches the end of life, he or she might talk about spirituality or the meaning of life. Don't force the subject — but if it comes up, encourage your loved one to explore and address his or her feelings. You might ask your loved one open-ended questions about his or her beliefs and experiences or most meaningful moments. You might want to invite a spiritual leader to visit your loved one as well.

You can help your loved one communicate his or her final wishes for family and friends. Encourage your loved one to share his or her feelings, including thanks or forgiveness, and give others a chance to say goodbye. This might stimulate discussion about important, unsaid thoughts, which can be meaningful for everyone. Your loved one might also find it comforting to leave a legacy — such as creating a recording about his or her life or writing letters to loved ones, especially concerning important future events.

It's difficult to predict exactly when someone will die. As death approaches, however, your loved one might show signs indicating that the end of life is near. Look for:

Restlessness and agitation. Your loved one might frequently change positions.
Withdrawal. Your loved one might lose interest in friends or favorite activities.
Drowsiness. Your loved one might be drowsy, sleep more or have intermittent sleep.
Loss of appetite. Your loved one might eat and drink less than usual.
Pauses or other changes in breathing. This might happen when your loved one is asleep or awake.
Reports of seeing someone who has already died. Your loved one also may tell you that he or she is dying.

Although you can't change what's happening to your loved one, you can help him or her feel as comfortable as possible — ideally with the support of palliative or hospice care specialists.

Your loved one might also experience a brief, final surge of energy. Though it can be confusing to see your loved one with renewed vitality, remember that this is often a normal part of dying. If it happens, take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy your loved one and say your final goodbyes.

For many families, keeping vigil near a dying loved one's bed is a way to show support and love. If you decide to keep vigil, continue talking to your loved one. If you think your loved one would want to share this time with others, invite family members or close friends to show their support as well. Express your love, but also let your loved one know that it's all right to let go.