Palliative care in the home environment

Most palliative care occurs where a patient lives, for example in their home or a residential facility. Even if a patient dies in a hospital or palliative care unit, they will usually have spent most of their time during their illness at home. Support (from a range of services, family and friends) is often able to deliver care in the home that is equivalent to inpatient palliative care (including after-hours care).

Although many people express a wish to die at home, this may not be possible or may not be their final preference. For information on preparing for (and providing care in) the last days of life, see Care in the last days of life. For information on what needs to be done after the patient has died, see After-death care.