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Help and support at the end of life
Alzheimer’s Society
A charity aimed at improving the lives of people living with dementia. It operates a national telephone helpline and Talking Point, an online community where you can get advice, share experiences and connect with others.

National Dementia Helpline:
Mon–Wed, 9am–8pm; Thu and Fri, 9am–5pm; Sat and Sun, 10am–4pm
If you have speech or hearing difficulties and have a textphone or an adapted computer, you can use Text Relay to call our helpline on:
Cancer Research UK
A charity working to fight cancer. It pioneers research and funds scientists, doctors and nurses to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Their helpline is staffed by nurses and provides information and support to the public.
Chat to others in your cancer community on the Cancer Chat forum.

If you or someone close to you have been affected by cancer, call:
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
You can also email a question via their website.
Compassion in Dying
National charity providing information and resources to help you talk about and plan for the end of life.

Free information line for advice about end of life matters:
9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Dementia UK
Provides specialist dementia support for families through the Admiral Nurse service.

For anyone with a question or concern about dementia, call the helpline:
Mon–Fri, 9am–9pm; Sat–Sun, 9am–5pm
Hospice UK
The national charity for hospice care. Search its online directory to find your local hospice.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Practical, medical and financial support for people facing cancer. The charity provides training and funding for specialist Macmillan nurses, including palliative care nurses.
Share experiences, ask questions or find others who understand via the Online Community.

Practical and emotional support at the end of life and through bereavement. Call:
Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm
Marie Curie
Care, information and support to people with a life-limiting illness, their carers and families. Visit the Marie Curie Community to find support from people like you.

Parkinson’s UK
National charity providing support for people with Parkinson’s and their carers. Join their online community on the Parkinson’s UK forum to talk to others about your experiences.

Helpline and local advisers to support anyone with Parkinson's, their family or friends:
Mon–Fri, 9am–7pm; Sat, 10am–2pm; closed Sun and public holidays
Or email:
Sue Ryder
Provides support for people living with a terminal illness or neurological condition as well as bereavement support. Palliative and neurological services are delivered at specialist centres across the country and in people's homes. Visit the online community to chat to others who understand.
Support for carers
Carer’s UK
A national membership charity that champions carers’ rights, connecting and supporting carers online and in local communities. Join the Carers UK online forum for chat and support.

Carer’s Trust
Works with a network of partners to support carers in their homes and communities by providing replacement care, advice and emotional support. Hosts an online directory where you can search for local carers’ organisations.
Dementia Carers Count
Offers free training courses for family carers of people with dementia.
Further reading
Death is a difficult subject to discuss with family and friends, but good communication benefits everyone.
Hospices provide support to people as they reach the end of their lives. Find out about the support they can offer.
Living with a terminal illness can be expensive. We examine what financial help is available.
Related content

Care homes and support at home near you
Use our directory to find local care homes, home care agencies and carer support services across the UK.

Planning for the end of life
Planning ahead helps you get the kind of care you would prefer – it also helps your loved ones make decisions on your behalf. Find out how to put your end of life care wishes on record.

Organising financial affairs
We look at how to help someone manage finances in later life, from Power of Attorney to third-party mandates.

What to do when someone dies
We take you through what you need to do when someone close to you dies, from how to register a death to what happens if a coroner is called in.
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