What is end of life care?
End of life care involves treatment, care and support for people who are thought to be in the last year of life. On this page, we explain who can access end of life care, where end of life care is given and how to get it.
This information is written for family and friends of people who need end of life care. It may also be useful for people who want to find out more about their own care.
On this page:
What does end of life care involve?
End of life care aims to help people to live as comfortably as possible in the time they have left. It can involve:
- managing physical symptoms
- giving emotional support and spiritual care to the person and their family and friends
- helping with everyday tasks, such as washing or dressing
- talking about the person's needs and wishes, including helping them talk to any family or friends if needed
- getting practical support with things like making a Will or financial support.
Drinking and fluids in end of life care
During the last weeks, days or hours of life, it's normal for people to eat and drink less than usual, or not at all. Sometimes family and friends ask about whether end of life care includes giving fluids if someone has stopped eating and drinking.
Sometimes fluids can be given through a tube into a vein (known as a drip). But it's not always helpful for them or needed. It's best to check with their doctor or nurse about whether this might be a suitable option for them.
There are things you can do to support them during this time to make them comfortable. This includes keeping their mouth moist and offering small amounts of fluid or ice chips.
Read more about eating and drinking less towards the end of life.
Who is end of life care for?
End of life care is for anyone who is likely to die in the next 12 months. Some people who need end of life care have:
- a terminal illness – an illness that cannot be cured and they are likely to die from
- a health condition which they are expected to die from
- a health condition and advancing age (sometimes called 'frailty') which means they are at risk of sudden changes to their health
- a sudden change to their health, for example from a stroke or an accident.
End of life care is for people with different conditions including cancer, dementia, neurological (nerve and brain) conditions, heart disease and respiratory (breathing) conditions.
How long does end of life care last for?
End of life care is for people who are thought to be in the last year of life. Some people may have end of life care for a year or more, while others will have it for weeks or days. It can be hard to know how long someone will live for, and not everyone needs end of life care for a long time.
If you are not sure whether your family member or friend should be getting end of life care, check with their healthcare professional. Just because someone has end of life care, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will die very soon.
Initially, I thought, 'Marie Curie? I don't need them.' The GP said, 'Yes, you do because you can't do this alone. If only for the emotional support, and to give you a break, and to really get his pain control sorted.'
Is end of life care different to palliative care?
End of life care is a part of palliative care. Palliative care is for people with a terminal illness at any time during their illness, while end of life care is usually for people in the last year of life. People often have palliative care for some time before getting end of life care.
Who provides end of life care?
End of life care can be provided by different professionals, depending on where the person is living or staying. This could include a GP, district or community nurse, healthcare assistant or staff in a hospital, care home or hospice.
Read about professionals who may provide end of life care.
How does someone get end of life care?
Speak to the person's healthcare professionals to ask about end of life care and what's available. If the person is at home or in a care home, speak to their GP or care home staff. We know it can be difficult to get an appointment with a GP, but this is an important step to get the right care in place. If your family member or friend is in a hospital or hospice, speak to their consultant or the nurse in charge.
If the person needs social care or personal care, you can speak to their local council or trust:
- England and Wales – GOV.UK
- Northern Ireland – Health and Social Care Trusts
- Scotland – mygov.scot
Where is end of life care given?
Your family member or friend may have end of life care in different places, including:
- their home
- a care home or nursing home
- a hospital
- a hospice.
You can talk to their healthcare professionals about where they would like to be cared for, and where would best suit their needs. They will try their best to support the person's wishes, while also making sure they get the care they need.
Read more about choosing where someone is cared for.
End of life care in hospital
If your family member or friend is in a hospital, they should get end of life care from the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. They may get advice and support from palliative care professionals to help manage symptoms. End of life care in a hospital is free for UK residents.
Depending on the person's wishes and what is available locally, the staff may plan their discharge home, or to a care home or hospice.
Read our information on changing where someone is cared for.
End of life care in a hospice
If your family member or friend is in a hospice, they will automatically get end of life care from the palliative care professionals who work there. Hospices deliver expert medical, nursing and personal care. End of life care in a hospice is free for UK residents.
End of life care at home or in a care home
If they live at home or in a care home, they may get support from these people or organisations:
- Their GP, who usually has overall responsibility for their healthcare.
- A district nurse or community nurse, who help with things like giving medication and managing symptoms. The GP may be able to arrange for a district nurse or community nurse to visit.
- Care home staff, if they are staying in a care home. Some care homes have palliative care professionals working in them, while others may bring in other health or social care professionals to support.
- A specialist palliative care team, including support from hospices or charities. The GP or a district nurse can refer the person.
- Social care workers, who can help organise care packages for things like washing and dressing. They can also give advice on funding arrangements.
Whatever support is put in place, it's usually not possible for health and social care professionals to be with someone all the time. So it's important to consider if there are people close by that could provide some of the support the person needs. If they do not have any family, friends or neighbours who can help look after them, speak to their council or trust about what support is available.
The GP organised Marie Curie to come on alternate nights. They were brilliant, a godsend. I cannot stress enough how wonderful they were. They were just amazing – so calm, so reassuring, so knowledgeable about what was needed, and they just gave me so much reassurance.
How much money does end of life care cost?
End of life care in a hospital or hospice is free. Healthcare, such as help from your GP, hospice or district or community nurse, is also free. Marie Curie hospice at home services, including Marie Curie Nurses, are free.
The above services are all free for people who are ordinarily UK residents.
Check the GOV.UK website to see if you qualify for free healthcare in the UK.
Some other services cost money, including care homes and personal care at home. This depends on where the person lives and their circumstances.
Read about paying for social care.
Marie Curie Nurses and end of life care
Marie Curie hospice care at home services (including Marie Curie Nurses) provide expert care to people with any terminal illness. We provide hands-on care, including specialist nursing and personal care, emotional support and bereavement support.
In the person's home, we can provide one-to-one nursing care and support overnight. In some areas, we also offer care for a shorter period of time, daytime or evening care, and care at very short notice if the person needs it urgently.
To get a Marie Curie Nurse or see if we are available in your area, speak to your GP, district nurse or hospital team. If we're not available in your area, ask what other services can help you – there may be a different hospice at home service.
Looking back now, I wish I'd asked earlier for Marie Curie support. You want to try and do it all yourself. But it was a wonderful experience to have these happy, smiley ladies coming in and sitting down with David. It felt so easy and natural with them. I could go to bed safe in the knowledge that David was being looked after by experts. I had three very good nights of kip, which is incredible really given the circumstances.
Talking about end of life care
Talking about things like how someone would like to be cared for or where they would prefer to die can be difficult. But understanding someone's wishes and making plans means it's more likely they will have the experience they want.
If the person has not thought or talked about what they want from end of life care, it is important that they have the opportunity to do this.
Read about planning care for the future.
More information and support
We know that thinking or talking about end of life care can feel scary or upsetting, and you might have more questions. We are here for you, whether your family member or friend is at home, in a care home, in a hospital or in a hospice.
Marie Curie offers a wide range of support for people living with a terminal illness, and their family and friends. We can support with the following:
- Marie Curie Nurses and hospice care at home service who can help you in your own home with expert nursing and personal care, as well as bereavement support.
- Marie Curie Hospices – our hospices offer expert medical care and bereavement support for people staying or visiting for support.
- Marie Curie Support Line – you can call us on 0800 090 2309 or email us at support@mariecurie.org.uk
- Marie Curie Companion service, where a volunteer can visit you at home or in hospital.
- Marie Curie Companion over the phone service, where you can get regular support from a trained volunteer.
- Marie Curie Bereavement service, where a trained volunteer can offer regular bereavement support over the phone.
- Marie Curie's information booklets, which cover topics such as managing symptoms, what to expect at the end of life, and looking after yourself as a carer.
All of these services are free and many are available across the UK. You don't need to have accessed a Marie Curie Hospice or Marie Curie Nurse to benefit from our other services.
If you're looking after your family member or friend, it can help to get support for yourself. You might be able to access support from a carers organisation, from your local council or trust, and from other family or friends around you.
It was just so lovely to talk to somebody who just listened to me, and listened to my concerns without hearing those words 'you'll be fine, don't worry about it'. She was lovely, she just listened to me and helped me learn.
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About this information
This information is not intended to replace any advice from health or social care professionals. We suggest that you consult with a qualified professional about your individual circumstances. Read more about how our information is created and how it's used.
