There are several choices when it comes to where you die. The majority of Americans die in a hospital. Others die at home, or in a nursing facility. The choice depends on the situation, and your support system. Sometimes you will end up compromising between what you want and what is available at the time you enter the final phase of your life.

Those individuals who have advance notice of their impending death will have more opportunity for choice than those whose death is sudden or accidental. Those who are terminally ill, usually have time to plan how they want to die. There may be times when a caregiver or family member makes the final choice when what is needed is expert, professional, medical care.

Dying at home:

There are many advantages to dying at home including being able to be in your own bed, surrounded by loved ones. Home for many is where they are comfortable. To be able to chose dying at home, there needs to be adequate support both physically and emotionally. There will need to be a caregiver capable of doing the physical and emotional work of seeing to the tasks of caring for the dying person.

The home environment while comforting will still need to be physically supportive of the needs of the dying person so special equipment may be required: special bed, breathing equipment, medicines, bathroom facilities for a bedridden individual and many other items. The dying individual will also need night care, either professional nurses or volunteers.

A contact list will need to be organized with the medical numbers of all staff and also the family and other personal contact names and phone numbers.

The book, "Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying" by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley, can give additional assistance for those who chose to die at home.

Hospices:

These are places for individuals with chronic diseases who wish to control pain and other symptoms of their disease in a manner that will provide comfort with dignity. Hospices are similar to hospitals but with a more home-like atmosphere. The care given to each individual is tailored to their specific needs and done in a gentle atmosphere. Some hospices offer respite care for individuals who are cared for at home and whose caregivers need a break from the responsibility of caring for them.

Nursing or residential homes:

A nursing home is appropriate when there is a need for extended nursing care and or medical equipment that is not possible in the home atmosphere. Nursing homes often offer both short-term and long-term care plans.

Residential homes offer the elderly individual social contact with peers and a style of living that they are comfortable with. Residential homes have nursing staff that can offer basic nursing services such as medication dispensing, vital signs and wound care. When the patient needs more than the residential home can offer the home is often affiliated with a nursing home or hospital.

Hospitals:

Most individuals choose to die in hospitals that offer medical and surgical care and the comforts of modern medical science.