Palliative Care
in Dumfries and Galloway
Telling someone you love about a terminal illness
Each individual and family has a unique way of approaching these difficult conversations. Marie Curie’s website about being “recently diagnosed with a terminal illness” offers advice about coping with your own emotions, talking to family and friends, and what to do if family dynamics start to change.
Talking about the future and what you would or would not want
By making plans and having discussions when you’re well, there is less to think about when you become sick and therefore your family are better supported both practically and emotionally – knowing that they are doing the best to comply with your wishes.
For example, would you want to be admitted to hospital or cared for at home? Would you want CPR to be attempted or a ventilator if your heart and lungs were struggling?
See our “planning for the future” page for links to further information on thinking ahead.
Talking about funerals
Whether you want a traditional funeral, or something a bit more
unusual, there are resources available to help you.
- Marie Curie have useful resources.
- The Scottish Government have also produced a comprehensive guide to funeral planning.