Caring for dying patients in the community

### What you need to know Effective recognition, communication, and management of patients who are dying can greatly benefit patients' quality of life and bring comfort to their loved ones at this important stage. In the UK, the number of people dying at home is increasing year on year.1 In 2022, almost half of those who died did so either at home or in a care home.2 This article provides practical advice about communicating and planning care at the end of life for patients and families in the community. Box 1 provides key definitions of terms used. Box 1 ### Terms used in the care of dying patients #### Palliative care Palliative care provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms experienced by people with advanced, progressive illness. Such management aims to support people with active holistic care until death, and help their families to cope with the illness and bereavement34 #### End of life The General Medical Council defines end of life in the context of patients who are likely to die within the next 12 months.5 In practice, dying and end of life can be used synonymously, which potentially causes confusion and problems for patients and professionals #### Dying Care of patients in the last days and hours of life should include, but is not limited to, the following areas6: quality of life, physical symptoms, emotional and cognitive symptoms, advance care planning, functional status, spirituality, grief and bereavement, satisfaction, quality of care, and carers' wellbeing … RETURN TO TEXT