It can involve managing physical symptoms such as pain, and emotional, spiritual, and psychological support. It also includes social care such as help with washing, dressing, or eating, as well as support for your family and friends.

A life-limiting illness is an illness that can’t be cured and that you’re likely to die from. You might hear this type of illness called ‘life-threatening’ or ‘terminal’. People might also use the terms ‘progressive’ (gets worse over time) or ‘advanced’ (is at a serious stage) to describe these illnesses. Examples of life-limiting illnesses include advanced cancer, motor neuron disease (MND) and dementia.

You can receive palliative care at any stage in your illness. Having palliative care doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re likely to die soon – some people receive palliative care for years. You can also have palliative care alongside treatments, therapies and medicines aimed at controlling your illness, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.However, palliative care does include caring for people who are nearing the end of life – this is sometimes called the end of life care.