*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Places You Can Have Care

If you are approaching the end of life, you may be offered care in a variety of settings. A palliative care team should try to organise for you to be cared for according to your wishes, whenever possible.

You can receive end of life care:

at home
in a care home
in a hospital
in a hospice

Care at home

You may not need to move away from home to receive care, as end of life care can often be provided at home. Sometimes this is available at any time of the day or night.

To find out whether you can receive nursing care or hospice care at home, check with your GP.

In a care home

You can receive end of life care in a care home, where trained staff are available to look after you day and night.

In hospital

You may be cared for in hospital. Many hospitals have specialist palliative care teams who work alongside and support the hospital doctors, nurses, and other health and social care professionals.

Hospice care

Hospice care is provided by a specialist unit run by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, counsellors and trained volunteers.

Hospice care can take place in your own home, as an inpatient at a hospice or as a day patient visiting the hospice.

NHS continuing healthcare

If you choose to receive care at home, in a care home or in a hospice, you should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare.

NHS continuing healthcare is a package of care for adults arranged and funded by the NHS. It's available to people who have certain types of health and care needs.

It is free of charge to the person receiving the care. This is sometimes called "fully funded NHS care".

Help and support

If there is someone looking after you, such as a partner or relative, it could be helpful for them to get a carer's assessment to see whether they qualify for local authority help.

You are entitled to high-quality end of life care, wherever you receive it. If you have questions or comments about your care, the service providing it will want to hear your views.

Find out what you should expect from end of life care.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.