Information for patients and families
Communication between patients, families and health care providers is important across the span of end-of-life care especially in the last days of life. The tools have been designed to provide information and support to the patient and their family/carers; they do NOT replace the clinical staff's responsibility to commence and continue communicating with the patient and/or their family/carers.
Asking questions can help
For people when approaching the Last Days Of Life
Questions a patient may ask when they deteriorate, or a decision is made that there are no reversible causes for deterioration.
Download PDF ~175KB
Asking questions can help
For friends or carers of people approaching the Last Days Of Life
Questions family members or the carer may want to ask when their relative or friend’s condition deteriorates, or a decision is made to initiate a palliative approach to care.
Family/Carer information regarding care in the Last Days of Life
Information on common symptoms including delirium, changes to body during the final days and hours, saying goodbye,and what happens to the person's body after death.
What to consider when your family member or friend has expressed a wish to go home from Hospital to die at home
Information for the patient, family and carer on what is required to transfer the patient home safely.
Family/Carer information regarding
medications in the Last Days Of Life
Information about what drugs are being given to maximise comfort and relieve suffering. It also includes information on what to do with/dispose of medications when no longer needed.
Download PDF ~154KB
When a person dies in Hospital
What to expect and what to do next
Information about the dying process and some of the tasks that may need to be completed by the family once the person has died.
Download PDF ~172KB
When someone dies at home what should You do?
Guidance and reassurance around the process of having the patient certified or verified and contacting funeral directors after death at home.
Download PDF ~170KB
Understanding grief - Some suggestions that may help
A summary of the services available to help families/carers before and after their loved one dies.