Carer Pathways
Caring is a journey. We have developed five pathways that are commonly experienced over time when caring for someone approaching the end of life. In each of these pathways, you will find relevant resources, tools and information to help you. Carers can go through these pathways in different ways. Some may go back and forth between pathways. They might spend a long time in one pathway, but a very short time in another. The important thing is being able to access useful information and resources when they are needed. You can explore these pathways in any way that suits you.
Pathway 1: When someone needs care
Many people provide regular and ongoing care and help to a partner, relative or friend. This may involve a few hours a week or all day every day, depending on the level of support needed. People often provide care to someone who is older, seriously ill or has a disability. We have collected a set of resources that can be useful for all carers in Pathway 1.
Pathway 2: Caring when death is a possibility
If you are caring for someone who is seriously ill or has an ongoing health condition, you may come to realise or be told that the person you are caring for will die from this illness or condition. This can be quite a difficult moment. We have a set of resources in Pathway 2 that can help you understand what is happening and how to take care of yourself and the person you are caring for.
Pathway 2: Caring when death is a possibility
If you are caring for someone who is seriously ill or has an ongoing health condition, you may come to realise or be told that the person you are caring for will die from this illness or condition. This can be quite a difficult moment. We have a set of resources in Pathway 2 that can help you understand what is happening and how to take care of yourself and the person you are caring for.
Pathway 3: Preparing for dying
When the person you care for approaches death, you may want to learn about how to manage a more challenging caring role and how to work with the health care team. You also need to make sure that you look after yourself and have enough support. We have created a set of resources specific to getting prepared to provide care at the end of life in Pathway 3.
Pathway 4: When the person is dying
If you are providing care to someone at the end of their life, their death will be part of your caring journey. Pathway 4 contains key resources to help you provide care through to death as well as to manage the period immediately after the death.
Pathway 4: When the person is dying
If you are providing care to someone at the end of their life, their death will be part of your caring journey. Pathway 4 contains key resources to help you provide care through to death as well as to manage the period immediately after the death.
Pathway 5: After caring
When the person you have been caring for dies, your caring role ends. This can be a difficult period as you deal with grief and a major change in what has shaped your time and activity. It is also a time where you must adjust to a new phase of your life. The set of resources in Pathway 5 can help you manage grief and plan for a new future.