End of Life Care

Many patients and their caregivers wonder about the next steps when cancer is very advanced and treatment is no longer working or has been stopped. In this section, you can find information about hospice care, what may happen when the end of life is near, and managing feelings of grief and loss.

Preparations as You Near the End of Life

Learn what to expect physically and emotionally when a person with cancer is nearing the end of life. Learn communication tips and how to cope with physical changes.

Hospice Care

Hospice care provides compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable disease. Learn more about hospice care and what to expect.

Providing Care for a Person with Cancer as They Near Death

What to expect when the person with cancer gets close to death, how to provide the best care possible, how to help the person with cancer say goodbye, and what to do after the person dies.

Coping with the Loss of a Loved One

Losing a loved one to cancer can be difficult. Here we discuss the grieving process and offer tips that may help you cope with your loss.

Related Topics

Advance Directives

Find information about different types of advance care directives, such as durable power of attorney, living wills, do not resuscitate orders, and more.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 allows certain employees to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. Learn more.

Helping Children Manage Uncertainty, Loss, and Grief

When someone they know has cancer, children might go through periods of uncertainty. Learn how to help children cope with changes in their lives.