How can I help my parents, dad has terminal cancer

[Whatusernameshalliuse]

My dad has cancer which he's too weak to have treatment for; he's quite rapidly deteriorating. I live a few hours away and have young kids so can't regularly see them. My mum is struggling to cope. Brother who lives close to them is useless.
Anyway I'm going to go and visit for a couple of days later this week, and am trying to think of all the admin things I can help mum with while I'm there. I'd welcome any suggestions.
On my list is;
-Power of Attorney
-Check whose name is on all bills including insurance, potentially try and get them put in joint name/transferred to mum
-Get bank details (maybe set up online banking if they're open to it)
-At least make sure mum has access to enough funds if his account is frozen
-Check car admin (when is MOT/car insurance etc due)
Welcome any other suggestions/tips.
Struggling to sleep right now as it's all going round in my head.. Thanks in advance.

Thanks. Sounds from a few like getting money transferred over now is wise, so will encourage them to do that.
Good point on funeral wishes and getting a feel in advance for what's around..

Fair point and thanks both for explaining, I hadn't really appreciated that (and had been wondering what the difference was between a palliative nurse assigned via the NHS vs MacMillan - sounds like the answer is none!) He has a palliative nurse so they've got sufficient support in place in that respect. I'll encourage mum to contact the palliative nurse a bit more when she's feeling overwhelmed or needing support, I know she's found her helpful when they have spoken, but I think she hasn't contacted her outside of appts.

My Dad died in 2024 of oesophageal cancer. I’m sorry OP. It can be very quick towards the end.
Care for him: emergency drugs at home, Respect form, Numbers for Goldline or similar, plan for last days- eg hospice (push for this if possible).
Ask him his wishes- hymns, readings, burial/ cremation, resting place. Morbid but we actually had a lovely but tearful morning planning my Dad’s- it’s a bittersweet but treasured memory. Yes choose an undertaker.
Then yes a will - this is urgent! A bit of IHT planning. If tenants in common he could will his had of the house directly to you and your siblings which can be good planning sometimes.
Definitely all bills, utilities etc into her name- it will make life so much easier! Get POA for yourself on your mum to gain access to the bank account - if you have that kind of relationship. It’s so helpful for us as my mum struggles with online banking so I do it for her.
Credit card in her name is a must! My mum was so upset to learn that she no longer had one as she was second cardholder on my Dad’s. I set her one up with M&S bank and take her to spend her reward vouchers every now and again.
I sold his car before he died as my mum doesn’t drive.

Actually, sorry OP, I've remembered a couple of situations that make me rethink the "sole name" bit - to an extent anyway.
My elderly relative had a few health scares so her husband transferred all the accounts into his name, assuming she would go first.

In hindsight joint names would have been a much better idea - we spent a lot of time after his death ringing up all the bereavement helplines to get accounts transferred to her. Hey ho. In your case your Dad sounds pretty likely to go first... but having said what I did about transferring stuff, on second thoughts, the essentials being in joint names covers the unexpected.
Like when my GM - very healthy - just died suddenly, leaving her frail, unwell husband to survive her...

Best of luck anyway.

Depending on his prognosis he may be eligible for Fast track continuing healthcare which is free care from the NHS.

Even if he doesn't qualify for this yet your mum may benefit from a Carers assessment from Adult Social care and this may provide some funds for a 'sitting service' if she is worried about leaving him.

Others have already highlighted that this isn't correct however if their home is owned with them both names on the deeds as joint tenants then the house does not form part of that £322,000 limit, as this phrasing on the deeds means that the whole property is wholly owned by both people and when one dies it becomes wholly owned by the survivor without being passed as an inheritance. Therefore only the non-house assets count as part of the £322,000. If the phrasing on the deeds is Tenants in Common then generally (unless another % specified) they each own 50%, your mum already owns half and only the 50% belonging to your dad counts towards the £322,000. If the house deeds only name your dad then the whole value is counted of course.

Just reiterating that making a Will is a priority.

As others have said, unfortunately it may too late to register a POA for him, I helped my Dad set one up a few years ago and it took about three months to be processed and registered-it’s not valid until that happens.

wishing you all the best. 💐

Sorry for your loss last year @HalfasleepChrisintheMorning and others that have lost relatives and loved ones. Thank you all for the suggestions and advice.

I messaged mum yesterday recommending he gets a will, sent a couple of options for how and said I could help. I'll prod until that's sorted. Have also sent instructions on how to claim AA for him & CA for her (if she's eligible for any) - and recommended she ask for an SR1 form at an oncology appt he had today (and offered to do the AA claim on his behalf).

On bills and accounts; is there any advantage between getting them transferred to her name vs joint names? I'm thinking joint names. (Thanks @MysterOfwomanY .. yes think the likelihood of her going first is very very small, but I take the point). Re his current account & credit card, I've had a look and his bank would require them to go into branch to get them changed into joint accounts so I'm thinking of suggesting either a new joint account and a switch, or just transferring most into her account and making sure she ups her credit card limit too.

Thanks for the suggestions about planning together for his funeral.. it'll be hard but I think we ought to do that.

I've also asked my brother to offer to take her car shopping (she doesn't like their car and has lost all confidence in driving, so would like something smaller). He pleasantly surprised me and said he'd go round and see them this weekend and suggest it.

Thanks again all.