0.1 The goals of palliative care
What is palliative care?
Palliative care supports a person to live well at the end of their life.
Note: The person living with a life-threatening illness is at the centre of any decisions made. They should be respected and allowed to choose the kind of services they want.
Take one day at a time
What does palliative care mean to you?
List some goals of care for you and the person you are caring for.
Examples you may wish to consider…
I want to be with my family at home for as long as possible
I want to continue doing the things I enjoy most
Set simple short, medium and long term goals.
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- Short term (daily) (e.g. go to park, go to shops, enjoy the day)
- Medium term (weekly) (e.g. have family over for dinner, plant that garden bed)
- Long term (monthly or 6-monthly) (e.g. plan a little holiday/weekend away; plan for family night out)
As early as possible, talk to the person you are caring for about their wishes for end-of-life care and where they would prefer to die, so you can prepare. As a carer, you might consider what your own wishes might be, and begin the conversations there.
When I die, I would like to be cremated and my ashes placed at Berwick, and hopefully I can be at home for as long as possible.
Have you thought about what you would like?