A good death to me means being treated with compassion, being kept comfortable and free from distressing symptoms, and being somewhere I know with people who are close to me.

Tommy reporting

A good death to me means being treated with compassion, being kept comfortable and free from distressing symptoms, and being somewhere I know with people who are close to me.

To achieve this it’s important that a health power of attorney needs to be put in place Now! so that loved ones and health professionals know exactly what my wishes regarding my health are i.e. do I wish to be resuscitation etc.

I have never been afraid of death although I do respect it.

I believe that end of life care should include support for family members. I’d also like to think that if I preferred to remain living at home, that I may be able to visit a hospice during the day. This  way I could receive the care and support I need without permanently leaving my home. That way I’d be able to access more services than if I stayed at home.

If I did  have to go into a residential home that is accredited by the end of life Gold Standards network, which means that the home has specially trained staff and good links with local GPs, this would give my family and myself peace of mind.