End of life care includes palliative care. If you have an illness that cannot be cured, palliative care makes you as comfortable as possible by managing your pain and other distressing symptoms. It also involves psychological, social and spiritual support for you and your family. This is called a holistic approach because it deals with you as a “whole” person, not just your illness or symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals provide palliative care as part of their jobs, – an example is a care you get from your GP or community nurses. However, some people need additional specialist palliative care. This may be provided by consultants trained in palliative medicine, specialist palliative care nurses, or specialist occupational therapists or physiotherapists.
Palliative care teams are made up of different healthcare professionals and can coordinate the care of people with an incurable illnesses. As specialists, they also advise other professionals on palliative care.
There are four main options available to people looking for end of life care:
Palliative Care in hospitals is often delivered over a short-term period and by specialist care teams or a single nurse. The team that delivers your care is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Palliative Care teams in hospitals will monitor discharge plans and arrange for individuals to be transferred to receive palliative care in hospices, care homes, or in their own homes.
If your loved one is already a resident at a Care Home, remaining there to receive an end of life care may be a more comfortable option. Rather than having to move to a hospital ward. However, not all care homes can deliver palliative care.
Hospices are similar to residential care homes in some ways. They deliver palliative nursing and rehabilitation, but you or your loved one doesn’t have to reside there permanently – they can attend for the day then return home.
Palliative home care enables you or your loved one to remain in their own home to receive end-of-life care.
At Cavendish Homecare we are experts in providing Palliative Homecare for individuals with terminal illnesses who want to remain in their own homes. We work to support the patients and their families with sensitive and comforting Palliative care.
If you would like to enquire about our Palliative Care, contact us on, 02030085210 or email us at info@cavendishhomecare.com.