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A program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

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Resources to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services before a crisis

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  • How to Prepare, Plan, and Be Present
        • I Need Help Now
        • Feeling overwhelmed? We have resources to help you sort things out.

        • Topics
          • Advance Directives
          • Caregiving
          • Communicating
          • COVID-19
          • Financial Matters
          • Grief and Loss
          • Rights
  • Types of Care
    • Curative Care
    • Palliative Care
    • Hospice Care
    • Comfort Care
    • Bereavement Care
    • Difference between Palliative and Hospice Care
  • Resources

How to Prepare, Plan, and Be Present

When facing a serious, life-limiting illness, you want to feel both prepared – so you can make decisions – and present – so that you are mindful of today’s needs. You will want to understand and use the resources available to you, whether you are a patient or caregiver.

There are medical resources such as palliative care and hospice, financial resources such as Medicare and insurance, legal resources such as advance directives, and personal resources such as bereavement care. There are also many informal supports such as connections with others going through similar experiences. We want to help you navigate all this so you can have the experience that is best for you.

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Do you need help urgently?

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If you or a loved are currently in crisis and you suddenly have need for care in handling an illness, there are a few items should prioritize over others.

Learn about:

  • What should I focus on first?
  • I need an advance directive.
  • I need help with a situation.
  • What are my rights?
  • How do I share my wishes?

Common Topics

We have gathered together guidance and resources around topics commonly encountered. These resources will help you understand how you can create a situation where you feel prepared.

Advance Directives
Advance directives, POLSTs, and healthcare agents help let others know what care you want and do not want if you cannot speak for yourself.
Caregiving
Sooner or later most of us will be caregivers. Many of us never imagined ourselves in that role. It can seem quite overwhelming but we provide resources that can help.
Coping with Grief and Loss
The experience of suffering loss and feeling grief is both universal and intensely personal, and can be intensified due to caregiving and serious illness. Learn how you are not alone.
COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 disrupted many lives, especially those dealing with serious illness and caregiving. We’ve gathered guidance from the CDC to help you.
Financial Matters
Financial challenges often accompany serious illness and caregiving. Learn about the many sources of financial support and how it may vary from state to state.
Talking About Serious Illness and Care
Serious illness is a communications challenge for everyone. We provide guidance on how to handle talking with so many different people – including ourselves.
Your Rights
Both patients and caregivers have rights and many of the rights of patients are guaranteed by federal law. Learn about those rights and how they may apply to you and others.

Find a Care Provider

NHPCO has created a tool allowing you to find hospice, palliative care, and bereavement service providers that may be near you.

Start searching at NHPCO.org
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A program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

About

CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, provides free resources to educate and empower patients and caregivers to make decisions about serious illness and end-of-life care and services. CaringInfo’s goal is that all people are making informed decisions about their care.  Learn more about CaringInfo.

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Find a Care Provider

Visit NHPCO to find a care provider in your area.

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