Dying at Home

Talk to the GP and the palliative care team. They will assess whether home death is feasible given the person's condition, the home environment, and the available support. Most community palliative care teams provide after-hours phone support and can visit at short notice.

• A hospital bed (provided by palliative care or aged care services)
• A syringe driver for continuous pain relief
• Incontinence supplies
• A commode or shower chair if needed
• A clear plan for after-hours emergencies

You can spend as much time as you need with the body. There is no rush. The doctor will come to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, and you can arrange for the funeral director to come when you are ready — hours later, or the next morning.

Move the bed to a room the person loves — a room with a view, or the lounge room. Clear space around the bed for visitors to sit. Have music ready. Keep the room ventilated and comfortable. Stock the kitchen — people will come, and you will need to eat even when you don't want to.

Caring for a dying person at home is one of the most profound things a family can do. It is also exhausting. Share the load. Accept respite. Let friends bring food, sit with the person while you sleep, or take the kids to the park. You do not have to do this alone.

Sometimes it isn't. Complex symptoms, safety concerns, or carer exhaustion may mean a hospice or hospital is the right place. This is not a failure. Your loved one is cared for. That is what matters, not the location.