Section 8 - Planning Ahead Difficult decisions & Difficult conversations At times you may be faced with and having to make difficult decisions. These can often be emotional and difficult to deal with. Sometimes it’s a decision
Marie Curie Living with a terminal illness
Marie Curie speaks to people affected by terminal illness every day so we understand the impact that a terminal diagnosis can have on you and those around you. We can help you plan ahead and make the most of the time you have left.
you may have planned for, or at least thought about. Sometimes though this can be completely unexpected and leaves us feeling out of control. To ease the pressures of a difficult decision often comes from having what we feel might be a difficult conversation in advance.
www.mariecurie.org.uk
Palliative Care About palliative and end of life care
Where possible, finding the right time to have the right conversation with the person you care for in advance. Often, the person you are supporting may be worried about having these conversations with you as well. Knowing wishes, understanding a person’s thoughts and feelings could ease this.
Palliative and end of life care affects us all, at all ages, the living, the dying and the bereaved.
More than half a million people are expected to die each year, and many live with a life expectancy of less than a year at any one time. This is set to increase with a growing older population, so more people are expected to die at an older age. This gives us an opportunity to plan and consider people’s wishes and preferences for their end-of-life care and treatment.
Continuing Healthcare Pathway
www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-continuing-healthcare-fast-track-pathway-tool
www.england.nhs.uk/eolc/
End of life care at home
Will Writing Writing a will is one of the most important parts of planning ahead. By making a will you can express your final wishes and decide what you would like to leave your family and friends. Your will lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death.
You may not need to move away from home to receive care, as end of life and hospice care can be provided at home. To find out what’s available locally, ask your GP. Your GP can arrange for community nurses to come to your home and provide nursing care for you there. You may also need specialist care from community palliative care nurses who visit you at home to:
• Provide or arrange hands-on nursing or personal care, if you need it • Advise on pain and symptom control • Provide practical and emotional support for you and your Carers at home
Although this may seem like something people do in older age, more and more people are now planning ahead at a younger age. Organising your Will allows you to have full control, involving who you want and outlining what you want. Although you are not required by law to make a will, if you die without one your possessions and property will be distributed according to the law, removing choice and may not be according to your wishes. There are different options for Will writing. Most people opt for this to be done via a solicitor or reputable Will Writing service. You can write your will yourself, but you should get advice if your will is not straightforward.
They can also involve other specialist professionals in your care if their expertise is needed.
www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/
You need to get your will formally witnessed and signed to make it legally valid.
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