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Member of National Voices
Hospice UK and Dying Matters are proud to be a member of National Voices.
Our members play a key role in breaking down taboos around death and dying. Joining is free!
Hospice UK and Dying Matters are proud to be a member of National Voices.
What happens when someone starts to die, and how end of life care is provided.
How we die is a profoundly personal journey. This section aims to help you understand what may happen as death approaches, the practical things you may need to think about when caring for a dying person, and how a death can affect family relationships.
There were 541,589 deaths registered in England and Wales in 2018, an increase of 1.6% compared with 2017. Two-thirds are aged 75 and over.
The goal of care for people who are dying focuses on helping them enjoy as good a quality of life as possible. This may include relieving suffering; helping people stay as well as they can; and helping them achieve goals that are important to them before they die. This care is often provided by a mix of professionals, including those skilled in palliative care. These professionals will want to ensure that everyone affected by a terminal condition (including families and carers) knows about the choices they have and what support is available to them at this difficult time.
The links below lead to information explaining the physical changes that happen when someone nears the end of life, and provide practical support and help to relatives and friends. Many dying people say they feel excluded from important conversations about what may happen to them as they begin to die. It is hoped that this information will be of help and support to them too.
Dying Matters is led by Hospice UK
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Dying Matters is supported by NHS IQ
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