ABSTRACT

The term 'end-of-life care' (ELOC) is still a relatively new phenomenon, and it encompasses all aspects of care at the end of an individual's life. This chapter outlines the importance of the provision of good quality EoLC in the community setting by using the several steps from the EoL Pathway as a framework for best practice. The stigma associated with dying in society means that we do not tend to discuss death and dying openly, causing difficulties in communication when end of life approaches either for the individual concerned or someone close to them. The End of Life Care Strategy provides processes and themes for organisations and individual professionals involved in the provision of EoLC to use in developing practice and improving the delivery of care over a 10-year plan. In striving for optimum standards of care, it is important to reflect on the statement made by the National End of Life Care Strategy.