If your loved one is nearing the end of life

Information for family, friends and carers

This page talks about end of life care. It can be helpful to think about this possibility in advance. But it can also be upsetting. This information is here for you when you feel ready.

Many people can live with liver damage or even get better. But if the damage becomes very severe, then their liver can no longer work properly. Sadly not everyone can have a liver transplant and there are not always enough donor livers for those who need one.

It can be difficult to talk or even think about this possibility. But people often find that planning ahead can give them some peace of mind. Talking to your loved one in advance can help to make sure that you know their wishes and preferences.

We have more information online about planning ahead here.

You can also download our detailed booklet here.

On this page:

Palliative care
Financial help
Bereavement support services

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Palliative care

Palliative care teams can help to improve your loved one’s quality of life. They can help your loved one to cope with symptoms, pain, and the emotional impact of their situation. They can also support you and your family.

Palliative care is not just for the end of life. It helps manage symptoms of a condition, for example treating ascites. Many people who are waiting for a transplant will also receive palliative care.

Finances

Some benefits can be claimed more quickly if your loved one has been told they may have less than 12 months to live.

You can find out more about benefits here.

End of life and bereavement support services

Anticipatory grief

Greif does not only come when you have lost someone. Looking after someone who is very unwell can bring many changes to your life. It can change the person you are caring for. This process will be different for everyone and you will probably have good days and bad days. But there is help and advice available to you.

The Anne Robson Trust provides free support for people facing the end of their life and those close to them.

Cruse – anticipatory grief page

When a loved one dies

The Marie Curie website has lots of information about both the emotional and practical sides of losing a loved one.

Cruse Bereavement Support offers support and information, including some PDFs in other languages

Good life good death good grief offers support in Scotland for before and after a death

Special thanks

We would like to thank everyone who helped with this page and all the information for friends, family and carers.

Including the members of our carers support group and everyone who answered our carers survey.

Back information for friends, family and carers

Tell us what you think

We would like to expand our information for friends, family and carers in future. Please tell us what you thought of this information and use the comments box to let us know what else you would like to see included.

Published: January 2024

If your loved one is nearing the end of life

Information for family, friends and carers

Friends, family and carers