Information and support: Advance Care Planning, and palliative care
Thank you for taking part in the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey. We know that some of the questions ask about difficult issues that affect our lives.
There are many organisations that can you can contact for help and support, and the list includes highlights some of those available in Northern Ireland.
Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning is an umbrella term covering personal, clinical, legal, and financial planning that enables a person to think about their present and plan for their future. It is a voluntary process and helps a person to make known what their wishes, feelings, beliefs and values are and to make choices that reflect these.
Information and support
Compassion in Dying https://compassionindying.org.uk/
Compassion in Dying supports people to use their existing rights to make decisions about their healthcare and advance planning. They provide a free information line, publications and resources.
Information line: Freephone 0800 999 24 34 (11am to 3pm, Monday to Friday) or Email: info@compassionindying.org.uk
Dying Matters www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/dying-matters
The Dying Matters campaign is run by HospiceUK. It aims to break the stigma, challenge preconceptions and normalise public openness around dying.
Palliative care
Palliative care is primarily focused on providing relief from symptoms and stress associated with chronic progressive illness. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family. It should focus on managing physical symptoms as well as psychological and spiritual needs.
Information and support
There are many organisations that can you can contact for help and support. The list below includes some the sources of support available in Northern Ireland.
AgeNI www.ageni.org
AgeNI is a charity for older people, which provides advice, networks and care services.
AgeNI Advice Service: Freephone 0808 808 7575 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Carers Northern Ireland www.carersuk.org/northernireland
Carers NI provides advice, information and support for carers, and is part of Carers UK.
Telephone: 028 9043 9843
Email: advice@carersni.org
Cruse Bereavement Care www.cruse.org.uk
Cruse provides support, advice and information when someone dies.
Helpline: Freephone 0808 808 1677
Macmillan Cancer Support www.macmillan.org.uk
Macmillan provides information, practical advice and support for people diagnosed with cancer.
Macmillan Helpline: Freephone 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week)
Marie Curie www.mariecurie.org.uk
Marie Curie helps people living with any terminal illness, and their families, to make the most of the time they have left. They provide information and support, as well as nursing and hospice care.
Marie Curie Support Line: Freephone 0800 090 2309 (Monday to Saturday)
