Hospice care helps people who are very sick and may not get better. It’s also called end-of-life care. But people don’t always stay in hospice care all the time. If they feel better, they can take a break.

Hospice care is about:

• Helping with pain and other health problems

• Supporting feelings and emotions

• Helping with everyday things

• Caring for the person’s family too

This is called holistic care, which means looking after the whole person — body, mind, and feelings.

Where Can You Get Hospice Care?

Hospice care can happen in different places:

• At home

• In a care home

• At a hospice building

• As a day visitor

Hospice teams include doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, and volunteers. Hospices try to feel more like a home than a hospital.

What Does Hospice Care Do?

Hospices can help with:

• Medicine and nursing

• Pain relief

• Massage and gentle therapies

• Exercise and strength building

• Giving carers a break (called respite care)

• Help with money and practical things

• Support after someone dies (called bereavement care)

• Spiritual and emotional help

You can talk to your local hospice to learn more. They can answer questions and show you around.

When Does Hospice Care Start?

Hospice care isn’t just for the very end. It can help early in an illness too — like with pain or breathing problems. You might stay for a few days, or go in to give your family a rest.

Hospice care is free. It’s paid for by the NHS and donations.

How to Find a Hospice

You can:

• Ask your GP or nurse

• Use the Hospice UK website

• Try the Find Me Help service on the Dying Matters website