End-of-life care (5)
- Hospice care: Comforting the terminally ill
- Terminal illness: Supporting a terminally ill loved one
- End of life: Caring for your dying loved one
- see all in End-of-life care
Grief (8)
- Grief: A Mayo Clinic doctor confronts painful emotions
- Suicide grief: Healing after a loved one's suicide
- Infant death: Grief and the path to remembrance
- see all in Grief
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Get StartedEnd of life: Caring for your dying loved one
Whether you bring a dying loved one home or keep vigil at the hospital, you can take measures to provide comfort and relief at the end of life.
By Mayo Clinic staffCaring 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.
Choosing where to die
Your loved one may have various choices for end-of-life care. Options may include:
- Home care. Many people choose 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 can be provided at home as well.
- Inpatient care. Some people may prefer round-the-clock care at a nursing home, hospital or other facility. Hospice care can be provided in these facilities, too.
When you discuss the options with your loved one, consider his or her preferences and 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.
Spirituality at the end of life
As your loved one approaches the end of life, he or she may 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. You may want to invite a spiritual leader to visit your loved one as well.
Saying goodbye
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 may 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.
Next page(1 of 2)
- End-of-life care: Questions and answers. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/end-of-life-care. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Signs and symptoms of approaching death. Hospice Patients Alliance. http://www.hospicepatients.org/hospic60.html. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Last days of life: Overview. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/lasthours/patient. Dec. 5, 2008.
- When someone you love has advanced cancer: Support for caregivers. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/When-Someone-You-Love-Has-Advanced-Cancer/page3. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- End of life issues. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/aging/EOL.htm. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.
- Moneymaker KA. Understanding the dying process: Transition during final days to hours. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2005;8:1079.
- Heyland DK, et al. What matters most in end-of-life care: Perceptions of seriously ill patients and their family members. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2006;174(5).
- Leaving a legacy. American Society of Clinical Oncology. http://www.asco.org/Patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Leaving+a+Legacy. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
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