End-of-life care describes support and medical care given during the time surrounding death. Read the articles below to learn what happens before, during, and after dying.
Articles
What Is End-of-Life Care?
Caregivers: Learn about palliative care, hospice, advance directives, and how to care for people you love when they near the end of their lives.
![Photo album and glasses on a hospital bed](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/what-is-end-of-life-meta_0.jpg?itok=X2rbOkHu)
Providing Comfort at the End of Life
Read about how to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort to relieve suffering when caring for a loved one who is dying.
![2 people holding hands on a pink blanket](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/providing-comfort-end-of-life-meta_1.jpg?itok=yfKl3hAu)
What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care?
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care? Caregivers: learn about options for care at the end of life.
![Vase of flowers in a hospital room](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/palliative-hospice-care-meta_0.jpg?itok=9tmNTlf4)
Where Can I Get End-of-Life Care?
There’s no right place to die. Caregivers should consider the best option for their situation: home, hospital, nursing home, or another place.
![blanket on the end of an empty hospital bed](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/end-of-life-dementia-meta_1.jpg?itok=Lzj059ny)
End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia
Caring for a person with dementia at the end of life has special challenges. Help them have good quality of life as they’re dying.
![sad dog resting head on an empty chair](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/end-of-life-dementia-meta-v2.jpg?itok=PmrNlkuX)
Understanding Healthcare Decisions at the End of Life
Being a healthcare proxy and making end-of-life care decisions for someone you love can be challenging. Learn what to expect.
![Medication bottles on a table by the bed of someone dying at home](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/healthcare-decisions-end-of-life-meta_0.jpg?itok=1A-nJU_g)
What Happens When Someone Dies?
What can you expect to happen when someone is dying? Read about dyspnea and other symptoms people experience in the last days of life.
![Cards in a hospital room saying "I love Grandma"](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/what-happens-when-someone-dies-meta_0.jpg?itok=RskeIpNP)
What to Do After Someone Dies
What do you need to do after someone you love dies? Learn about who signs the death certificate, organ donation, and whether you need an autopsy.
![Dandelion blowing in the wind](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/what-to-do-when-someone-dies-meta.jpg?itok=fqBy54tv)
Getting Help for Your Grief
Mourning someone close to you can leave you lost, sad, or angry. Get help for your grief and loss through grief counseling and support groups.
![Dog laying beside empty chair, walker, and slippers](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/getting-help-for-grief-meta_0.jpg?itok=IvOrv68k)
Mourning the Death of a Spouse
Get help for your grief after the death of a spouse. Read about bereavement counseling, support groups, and how to get on with life without your partner.
![Older man mourning the death of a spouse](/congress115th/20181203180715im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/mourning-spouse-meta.jpg?itok=GvJjWQuR)