BackPalliative care at home
We understand that navigating the challenges of palliative care can be overwhelming. Our team is here to help make the process as smooth as possible. You can schedule a consultation with a palliative care specialist in a way that’s most convenient for you.
What does private palliative care at home include?
Palliative care at home includes several key components, with a strong focus on pain and symptom management. In addition to this crucial aspect, it also encompasses a patient-centered approach, emotional and psychological support, and family support, all while ensuring the patient’s comfort and well-being. Palliative home care can help manage a wide range of symptoms that may be associated with a serious illness, including fatigue, nausea, constipation, breathlessness and delirium. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate these symptoms, a specialist palliative care team can work towards controlling them at a level that is comfortable for clients.
Palliative care at home aims to enhance the quality of life for clients and their families facing life-threatening illnesses. End-of-life care, in contrast, is dedicated to supporting individuals with advanced, incurable illnesses as they approach the end of life, providing pain and symptom management, along with practical support as they approach the end of life.
Pain and symptom management
A core component of palliative care is the effective management of pain and symptoms. This is crucial for improving a patient’s quality of life. The care team, which may include nurses, doctors, and other specialists, works to address discomfort and distress. This often involves close collaboration with a patient’s GP, district nurse, and specialist palliative care teams to ensure the patient has the most appropriate medication and care plan.
Other aspects of at-home palliative care
Patient-centred approach
Care plans are tailored to each individual’s unique needs and preferences, respecting their wishes and values.
Emotional and psychological support
Care extends beyond physical symptoms to include emotional and psychological support for both the patient and their family.
Family support
The care team provides guidance and support to loved ones, helping them navigate the emotional challenges of caring for a family member.
Maintaining comfort
Caregivers and nurses are dedicated to ensuring the patient’s overall comfort, which includes assistance with positioning, personal care, and oral hygiene.
Who is palliative home care for?
Palliative care at home is appropriate for anyone living with a serious or life-limiting illness who wishes to remain in their own home. It can be introduced at any stage of illness and is not limited to those approaching the end of life. People typically benefit from palliative homecare when symptoms are becoming difficult to manage, when treatment decisions feel overwhelming, or when additional practical, nursing, or emotional support is needed.
Conditions commonly supported through palliative homecare include:
- Cancer and haematological conditions
- Cardiac disease and heart failure
- Neurological conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis
- Respiratory conditions including COPD and pulmonary fibrosis
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Renal failure and other organ failure
Care is available for adults of all ages, including younger adults living with life-limiting conditions, and can be provided from the point of diagnosis onward.
Types of private palliative care services
Private palliative care at home can be structured to suit the level of support required, from a few hours of visiting care each week to full-time, round-the-clock live-in care. The right arrangement depends on the individual’s clinical needs, personal preferences, and how their
condition is progressing.
Visiting palliative care
A nurse or carer visits the home at agreed times to assist with symptom management, personal care, medication, and clinical monitoring. This can range from a single daily visit to multiple visits throughout the day, and can include day-only, night-only, or combined day-
and-night support depending on need.
Live-in palliative care
A dedicated carer or nurse lives in the client’s home and provides continuous support around the clock. This is the most comprehensive form of private palliative care at home and is suited to those with complex or rapidly progressing needs who wish to remain at
home with full-time clinical and personal care.
Overnight and night-sitting care
An experienced carer stays through the night to provide reassurance, monitor symptoms, and assist with any needs that arise. This can give families and primary carers the rest they need while ensuring the client is never alone overnight.
Fully regulated by CQC
As a provider fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Cavendish Homecare sets the benchmark for quality and safety. When choosing care, we always advise checking a provider’s CQC registration and inspection reports, which are publicly available. Our commitment to exceptional care is independently verified through their rigorous inspections, evidenced by our ‘Outstanding’ rating specifically for care and an overall ‘Good’ rating. This gives you complete confidence in our professionalism, compassion, and accountability.
Why choose Cavendish Homecare palliative care at home?
We provide compassionate, holistic care that helps clients manage symptoms and maintain the best possible quality of life at home. Our experienced carers and nurses support people living with conditions including cancer, cardiac disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, while offering reassurance and support to families and loved ones. Alongside palliative care, Cavendish Homecare provides a range of specialist home care services – including cancer care, dementia care, and end-of-life care – all accessible through a single point of contact. To explore what’s available or to arrange an assessment, contact our team directly.
• Swift and seamless care: We can respond quickly to urgent care needs and work alongside your GP, district nurses and palliative care teams, with flexible visiting, overnight or 24-hour support.
• Experienced nurses and carers: Our highly skilled and compassionate team delivers expert care with dignity, empathy and respect at every stage.
• Proven excellence in care: Rated ‘Outstanding’ for caring by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), reflecting our commitment to exceptional standards of care and safety.
• Leading care approaches: We are proud to adopt the Lantern Model – a pioneering, holistic approach to palliative and end-of-life care focused on the client’s wishes and family involvement.
Palliative Care Areas we serve
We operate across the city’s most prominent boroughs and the surrounding home counties. Our private nurse home visit service is available in:
• Central & West London: Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Marylebone, Mayfair, and Knightsbridge.
• North & South London: Hampstead, Highgate, Richmond, Wimbledon, and Dulwich.
• Greater London & UK: We provide specialist covera
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The cost of private palliative care at home
The cost of private palliative care at home varies depending on the level of support required, whether care is provided on a visiting or live-in basis, and the clinical complexity of the individual’s needs. Costs are also influenced by the number of hours of care needed each day and whether specialist nursing care is involved.
Following an initial assessment, our team will provide a detailed care plan and a transparent breakdown of costs tailored to your situation. We recommend getting in touch directly to discuss your requirements, as every care package is built around individual need.
FAQ
Palliative care is specialised medical care focused on improving quality of life for people living with serious illness. It provides relief from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and stress. Palliative care also offers emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and their families. It can be provided at any stage of illness and alongside curative or life-prolonging treatments. A dedicated team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and other specialists works together to support the whole person, not just the disease, and to help individuals make care decisions that align with their values and goals.
Palliative care can be offered at any time during a serious illness, from the moment of diagnosis and throughout treatment and recovery. It is appropriate for individuals of any age and at any stage of illness, and it can be provided alongside treatments aimed at curing the illness or extending life.
Someone may benefit from palliative care when symptoms are difficult to manage, when treatment decisions feel overwhelming, or when additional emotional, practical, or family support is needed. Early involvement of palliative care can improve comfort, help clarify goals of care, and support both patients and their loved ones throughout the illness journey.
Palliative care can last for as long as it is needed. Some people receive palliative care for a short period to help manage symptoms or navigate a difficult phase of illness, while others benefit from ongoing support over months or even years. The length of palliative care depends on each person’s individual needs, goals, and condition. Care can be adjusted over time and may continue alongside active treatment, change as needs evolve, or transition to other types of care if appropriate.
In the UK, many receive palliative care at home through NHS‑funded services, which may include visits from GPs, district nurses, and specialist community palliative care teams. These essential elements of care are often available free of charge, depending on the individual’s health needs and eligibility. Those with more complex needs may receive support through NHS Continuing Healthcare or the Fast Track Pathway, which provides rapid access for those approaching the end of life.
Alongside NHS support, hospices and charities also play a major role. They often offer home‑based services funded through a mixture of NHS contributions and charitable donations, ensuring families can access emotional, practical, and specialist clinical support.
Some choose additional private homecare services to tailor support more closely to their routines, preferences, or the level of help they need. This option offers greater flexibility such as longer visits, continuity, or help at specific times of day, while complementing NHS and charitable services when needed.
Palliative care at home provides specialist medical, nursing, and emotional support for people living with serious illness, in the comfort of their own home. The focus is on improving quality of life by managing symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety, while also supporting emotional, practical, and family needs.
The care is tailored to each individual and may include regular nurse visits, symptom management, medication support, personal care, and coordination with GPs and other healthcare professionals. Palliative homecare can be provided alongside ongoing treatments and adjusted as needs change. Many choose palliative care at home because it offers familiar surroundings, greater comfort, continuity of care, and support that is flexible and responsive, helping individuals remain where they feel safest and most at ease.
The cost of private palliative care at home depends on the level and type of care required. Visiting care, where a carer or nurse attends at agreed times, is generally less expensive than live-in care, where a dedicated carer resides in the home around the clock. The clinical complexity of a person’s needs, the number of daily care hours, and whether specialist nursing is required will all affect the overall cost.
Following an initial consultation and assessment, we provide a detailed, transparent care plan with clearly outlined costs. Some individuals may also be eligible for NHS-funded support through NHS Continuing Healthcare or the Fast Track Pathway. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements and explore what options are available.
Yes. A key benefit of having an experienced palliative care team at home is the ability to identify and respond to changes in a person’s condition early. By monitoring symptoms closely and working alongside the client’s NHS healthcare team, palliative carers and nurses can help manage deteriorating symptoms at home rather than in a hospital setting, reducing the need for unplanned admissions and supporting the person’s wish to remain at home.
Many people are able to remain at home throughout their illness with the right level of support in place. Private palliative care at home is designed to make this possible — providing clinical, nursing, and personal care in your own surroundings, adjusted as your needs change. Whether you need a few visits a week or full-time live-in care, support can be structured around your wishes and your home life. If a hospice does become appropriate at some point, this is always a personal decision made alongside your care team, and we can help coordinate the transition. The goal is always to support you in the place where you feel most comfortable.
Yes. Cavendish provides round-the-clock support for clients with urgent or complex needs. Our live-in care option means a dedicated nurse or carer is present in the home at all times, able to respond immediately if symptoms change or a crisis arises overnight. For clients on visiting care arrangements, we can also discuss emergency protocols and escalation pathways with your NHS palliative care team to ensure you are never without support when it matters most. Please speak to our team to discuss the right level of cover for your situation.
tive care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, whereas hospice care is typically offered in the final months of life.
The right type of support depends on the nature and complexity of your clinical needs. A carer provides personal care, companionship, practical help around the home, and support with daily activities. A nurse is required when clinical tasks are involved — such as wound care, medication management, catheter care, or monitoring of symptoms that require specialist clinical assessment. In some cases, a combination of both is the most appropriate arrangement, particularly for people with complex or changing conditions. Our team will advise on the most suitable option following an initial assessment of your needs.
The enquiry process - What to expect
Initial Enquiry
An initial enquiry is taken when you call on behalf of yourself or someone else. An initial enquiry can be via a phone call, submitting a contact form or an email. Your enquiry is then picked up by the office team who will gather the information and pass it through to one of our nurse managers.
Call Back from Nurse Manager
One of the experienced nurse managers will give you a call back to discuss the needs in more detail and to provide their expert recommendation on the care that may be required. They will then discuss with you, what Cavendish Homecare may be able to provide, what the cost is and what timescale we would be able to commence your care.
Selection of Staff
Once an initial agreement is established, the nursing manager will start working with the bookings team to determine the most suitable nurse and/or carer are best matched with your needs.
Proposed Agreement
Following the tailored care recommendation and the selection of staff. We ensure you (the client) are happy with the proposed course of action and the care is able to commence. In some cases, an assessment visit may be required and this will be undertaken by one of our nurse managers.
Active Clients
You will begin receiving outstanding homecare from our team, tailored to your needs. Your care plan will be under constant review to ensure the correct level of care is addressing your needs and being provided at all times.
An initial enquiry is taken when you call on behalf of yourself or someone else. An initial enquiry can be via a phone call, submitting a contact form or an email. Your enquiry is then picked up by the office team who will gather the information and pass it through to one of our nurse managers.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
The Difference
We Make...
“I had a nurse come daily for the past 3 weeks since I returned home from surgery, she came fully prepared, asked all the right questions and was able to answer any questions I had as well.”
“The nurse has been truly fantastic for my mother’s post operation care and as such we extend our most sincere and complete gratitude. We would gladly use Cavendish Homecare again should the need arise.”
“Words cannot express how grateful we are to the whole team at Cavendish Homecare. My mother’s post operative care at home was first class. Seamless service.”
