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Here’s a quick guide for planning end of life care with the person you care for. It explores the importance of taking a planned approach and highlights a number of ways in which, together, you can make an advance plan whilst the person you care for has the mental capacity to make their own decisi…

that information long enough to make the decision Take that information into account when making a decision Communicate the decision in any way The law says that people must be assumed to have capacity unless we can prove otherwise and we should give the person all the support they need to help…

, and type of care they might need, and which setting might be right for them and you in your caring role. Think about what care you and their family are able and willing to provide, not just now but also in the future and the person’s final days. Bear in mind the nature and level of support you feel…

as the tax implications. They can also talk to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on someone’s behalf subject to being given permission More detailed information about trusts and sources of support. Help is also available from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners . …

of exercise. If you or other family/friends are unable to rehome the pet, some charities and organisations will help, for example, Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust, and RSPCA. If the person is distressed at planning their pet’s future care, the Blue Cross offers a service to support people who have…

Allows time to put additional support systems in place, such as school counsellors and grief programmes, where available Enables children to grieve with the adults in their lives, instead of alone and from the sidelines. You and other family members can help children understand that their emotions… a specialist service supporting children and their families who are facing the loss of a loved one. Contact them on 01342 313895. A dedicated support worker can help you prepare to speak with your children and then make plans for how to support them once they have been told the news. They liaise with the children’s schools, with parental consent, and help ensure each child receives all the support and guidance they require. They also offer 1:1 support for children to help them during the loss of their loved one and beyond. Your local hospice may also be able to offer support to your family. Go…

A person with a learning disability may need support to talk about death and dying or to make important decisions around their own end of life care. They may need additional help, specific to their communication needs, to ask questions and to make sure their wishes and preferences are recorded. ​A person with a learning disability in your family may also be involved in providing end of life care. Marie Curie has developed a number of easy read booklets that will help a person with a learning disability talk about death and provide support to someone with a terminal illness. For more information about talking with people with learning disabilities and end of life planning Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne talks further at Tuffrey-Wijne . …

to happen as they become more seriously ill and approach their last days. This will be an incredibly difficult time for you but you should get openness, honesty, and full support from all the professionals around you. You will all be working together to develop a plan for end of life… to access the necessary support. Know which professionals to contact and what you do if you cannot contact them. Decide in advance on how to let wider family and friends know when your child has died. At the time of death It is vital that you take all the time you need to say goodbye to your child… is then provided to hospitals, local health services, schools or police to make sure they are clear about what caused the death, what support and treatment was offered to the family after the child’s death. If you want to find out more about the process talk to a professional you feel you have a good…

and friends have any special wishes? Using a funeral director Using a good funeral director will make the whole process of organising a funeral that much easier. It can be helpful to have their expert guidance as well as their comforting support at such a difficult time. The funeral director can remove… distressing so see if there is someone who can be with you too. Children attending the funeral It is sometimes difficult to know how to support a child in the family when you may be struggling to cope with your own feelings. However, it is important that children have the opportunity to express…, the child may express disappointment at not being able to say goodbye at the funeral. Have an alternative ceremony if your child chooses not to go. This could be scattering the person’s ashes, planting a tree or letting off a balloon with a message on it. Provide support during the funeral. Make…

Here grief is explored, as well as how you might be feeling and the importance of looking after yourself. How to support others in the family and deal with a sudden death is also covered. Grief is a normal reaction to losing a loved one, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. You also shouldn't assume you will experience grief, especially when the person you cared for has suffered or had a very drawn-out death. In this situation, we can often feel a sense of relief. To hear about people's different grief responses watch this video. Remember, you cannot fix grief or remove it in some way. Grief is often described as a process or in terms of stages. There are 5 stages of grief . You may experience all of these stages or only some. You may experience them in a different order. Crying is a normal reaction to losing someone you cared about. It is a natural way…