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Caring for someone who is dying
Even when you know the end of life is approaching for a family member or friend, you might not feel prepared.
Learn more about:
- Coping as a carer
- Providing practical support
- Providing emotional support
- Providing physical support
- After the death
We cover the practical, emotional and physical issues to expect, and explain how you can provide comfort and support.
Coping as a carer
Looking after a person who is dying can be stressful. It’s common to feel like you don’t know what to do, what to say and how to cope.
If you’ve never been around someone who is dying before, you may be afraid of what will happen. Learning what to expect can help you feel less frightened and confused, and allow you to plan ways to manage the emotional and physical challenges ahead.
For more on this, call 13 11 20 or see Caring for someone with cancer or listen to the podcast below.
→ READ MORE: Providing practical support
Podcast: Caring for Someone in Their Last Months
Listen to more episodes of our podcast for people affected by cancer
Prof Jane Phillips, Head, School of Nursing and Professor, Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology and Emerita Professor Palliative Nursing, University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Prof Meera Agar, Palliative Care Physician, Professor of Palliative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, IMPACCT, Sydney, NSW; Sandra Anderson, Consumer; A/Prof Megan Best, The University of Notre Dame Australia and The University of Sydney, NSW; Prof Lauren Breen, Psychologist and Discipline Lead, Psychology, Curtin University, WA; David Dawes, Manager, Spiritual Care Department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Rob Ferguson, Consumer; Gabrielle Gawne-Kelnar, Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Social Worker, One Life Counselling & Psychotherapy, NSW; Justine Hatton, Senior Social Worker, Southern Adelaide Palliative Services, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Caitlin MacDonagh, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Palliative Care, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW; McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer; Palliative Care Australia; Belinda Reinhold, Acting Lead Palliative Care, Cancer Council QLD; Xanthe Sansome, National Program Director, Advance Care Planning Australia; Kirsty Trebilcock, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA.
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Information for carers
Information for family and friends providing care to someone at any stage of cancer