Discuss with the team either in the community or in hospital what the person’s expressed wishes are and what your wishes are for their care. If you wish to care for them as long as possible at home you may be able to do this if community services are arranged. If this is not possible, hospice care may be an alternative to hospital admission. The more time you have to plan and discuss with the person the more services can be arranged.  If the person wishes to remain at home local services should be able to get equipment and services as a priority. Some benefits can also be processed quickly if the person is at end of life.

If the person is able to make their own decisions about treatment or if they wish to refuse further treatment  they should be given information to allow them to make informed choices.  They may wish to make you their Welfare Power of Attorney, which means you will have the right to make decisions on their behalf when they are not able to.

For more information on Power of Attorney, please read: Topic 5: Money, benefits and legal issues > Power of Attorney on this website.