When is it time?

I would like some advice please.  At what point do you think it is the right time to go in to a hospital or hospice when you have terminal cancer?  Thank you.  

  • Hi there and thanks for posting

    This is a difficult question to answer because it will be different for everyone.

    Usually when a person comes closer to the end of life the nurses involved in their care will talk through the choices about where they would like to be cared for when the time comes.

    For some this will be to stay at home with the support of community nurses and hospice at home input. For others it will be the local hospice and for others the choice may be a hospital.

    As well as end of life care, hospices also provide symptom management. So if a patient has symptoms that aren't being controlled very well they may spend a couple of weeks at the hospice getting their symptoms managed and then go home again. When the times comes for patients to be transferred to the hospital or hospice for end of life care this is usually in the last few days or week or 2 of life.

    I hope this helps but as I say it is the doctors and nurses involved who can say when this time will be.

    All the best

    Naomi