Palliative and end of life care at home
Comfort, company and personal care at home in the last months of life, alongside the NHS palliative care team.
Being cared for at home
Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life when an illness can't be cured. End of life care is support in the last months, weeks and days. Many people want to spend this time at home (NHS).
Who does what
The NHS palliative care team
- The GP and district nurses
- Specialist palliative care nurses and hospice teams
- Medicines, symptom and pain control
- Clinical care such as injections
Your carer
- Personal care, washing and changing
- Comfort, company and reassurance, day and night
- Meals, drinks and mouth care
- Keeping the home calm, and supporting the family
What care at home can look like
- Coming home: the hospital or hospice team arranges equipment and the community nursing team; a carer helps your relative settle in
- The weeks at home: a steady routine, personal care, meals your relative enjoys, visitors and rest
- The last days: comfort, company and calm, with the nursing team managing symptoms
- Afterwards: family are not alone; hospices and charities offer bereavement support
When to call for help
Keep the numbers for the GP, district nurses and any hospice or palliative care team by the phone. Out of hours, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
Which care fits
Many families choose live-in care so someone is in the home. When help is needed through the night, 24-hour care with two carers means someone is always awake. Some families use overnight care so they can rest, or respite care for a short break.
Planning ahead
Talk with your relative and their team about their wishes. An advance decision to refuse treatment and a Lasting Power of Attorney can make sure those wishes are followed.
Paying for end of life care
NHS Continuing Healthcare can be fast-tracked if someone is terminally ill and needs care urgently. Ask the GP, district nurse or hospital team. Your council can also carry out a needs assessment. Marie Curie has information and support for families.
With LCH Care, live-in care costs £1,100 a week, and two carers cost £1,800 a week. Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts.
Tell us about them
The diagnosis, how they are now, routines, and what matters to them.
See matched profiles
Profiles say what experience each carer has, so you can choose with care.
Speak first
Talk to carers by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Care starts
You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.
How carers are checked
Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Other conditions
- Dementia care
- Parkinson's care
- Stroke care
- Multiple sclerosis care
- Motor neurone disease care
- Cancer care
- Brain injury care
- Spinal cord injury care
- Cerebral palsy care
- Muscular dystrophy care
- Diabetes care
- Heart disease care
- COPD care
- Arthritis and osteoporosis care
- Sight loss care
- Mental health support
- Learning disability support
- All conditions
Questions
What is the difference between palliative and end of life care?
Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life when an illness can't be cured, sometimes for a long time. End of life care is the support given in the last months, weeks and days.
What can a carer do that the nurses don't?
Carers give personal care, comfort and company day and night, so your relative has company. Nurses lead medicines, symptom control and clinical care.
Can the NHS pay for end of life care at home?
NHS Continuing Healthcare can be fast-tracked if someone is terminally ill and needs care urgently. Ask the GP, district nurse or hospital team.
How quickly can a carer start?
We'll do our best. Urgent starts depend on carers being available in your area, so tell us as soon as you can.
Can family stay involved?
Of course. Many families share the care with a carer, so they can rest and spend time together.
How long does palliative care last?
It varies from person to person. Palliative care can last months or longer; end of life care usually means the last months, weeks or days.
Is there anything a carer can't do?
Carers don't give clinical care such as injections or syringe drivers. The NHS nursing team looks after medicines and symptom control.