Palliative Care
in Dumfries and Galloway
What should I expect?
What to expect
There are many illnesses that can give rise to a terminal diagnosis, or result in a palliative care approach. Everyone is different, and “terminal” or “palliative” are terms used in a variety of situations with a prognosis varying from years to hours. If you are uncertain about prognosis, and wish to discuss this, please discuss with your healthcare professional. The aim of treatment is to is keep you as well and as comfortable as possible for however long you have, and ensure that treatment given is in line with your wishes. The knowledge that life is limited often makes people reflect on what is important to them. Some people like to plan for the future, but others find this very difficult.
Below the photograph is specific information on what to expect if someone is in the last months, weeks or days of life.
You can click on the links below for information from the NHS and Marie Curie on each of the following:
Driving | NHS inform; Holidays and travel | NHS inform; Finances | NHS inform; Sexuality and intimate relationships when living with a terminal illness (mariecurie.org.uk); Coping with fatigue | NHS inform; Staying safe – avoiding falls | NHS inform
Last months of life
Marie Curie and Macmillan have produced a booklet about what to expect. It is called “End of life – the facts”. The pdf is here End of life: the facts. The Irish Hospice Foundation have also produced really helpful information in the Palliative Hub including what to expect, and practical aspects of caring for someone. The link is here. Please note that there may be some differences in the legal information between Ireland and Scotland.
Last weeks and days
Marie Curie Being There have a range of information from getting support for yourself to helping with practical tasks such as washing, mouthcare, moving someone in bed and helping them to relax.
Everyone is unique and timescales are different for each person, but in the last days there are certain changes that you can usually expect. The charity, Hospice UK, have produced information on what to expect in the last days and final moments of someone’s life: https://www.hospiceuk.org/what-we-offer/clinical-and-care-support/what-to-expect/what-happens-when-someone-is-dying
Marie Curie have developed some useful advice and videos on what to expect as someone approaches the end of their life:
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/terminalillness/preparing/what-to-expect
What can you do when someone is dying?
It may be reassuring for your loved one to have someone close by – speaking calmly, holding hands or even hugging your loved one in bed. If they have some favourite music you may want to play it or you might watch a favourite TV show together. Familiar sounds can be comforting.