End-of-life home care
End-of-life care is one of the most difficult, and yet important, conversations any care provider can have with an individual and/or their family. We have one chance to make the end to a person’s life the best it can be, and take that responsibility very seriously indeed.
Our end-of-life care is entirely personalised and reflective of each client’s wishes. Our live-in carers provide both practical and emotional care and support that is, at all times, compassionate, flexible and focused on dignity and utmost respect.
What is end-of-life care?
End-of-life care helps those who are in the last months or years of their life to live as comfortably as possible until they die. An end-of-life carer will also support the person’s loved ones.
A person can receive end-of-life care at home, or in a hospice, care home or hospital. The care provided always takes the wishes and preferences of the person into account. This includes where they would like to be when they die.
Planning for end-of-life care
The first step to end-of-life care is finding out what the person’s wishes are and how best to accommodate them. End-of-life care should be planned as early as possible, to ensure that the person can be involved in the decision-making and that their views are fully understood and documented, along with the views of actively-involved family members.
To begin planning for end-of-life care, the person may wish to visit the Dying Matters ‘Resources for planning ahead’ webpage and Mycarematters for their ‘My Future Care Handbook’, a comprehensive document that takes a person through everything, from making a ‘bucket list’ to planning their funeral. If an easy-read document is needed, MacIntyre have produced ‘My plan about what I want to happen when I die’.
If, at the point you contact us, an end-of-life plan isn’t in place, don’t worry. We are able to provide all of the support and advice needed to ensure a comprehensive plan is devised that reflects the person’s wishes for how they will live and die.
Reasons to consider end-of-life home care
Given that 71% of people expressed a preference for dying at home in the National Bereavement Survey of 2011, we know that being able to remain at home to die is extremely important to most people. Common reasons for wanting to die at home with live-in care and support include
The person doesn’t wish to die in a hospital, care home or hospice.
The person’s family want to support the person to die at home but feel that they need professional support to achieve this. They may want a long-term live-in care service, or they may prefer to try our respite care service first.
The person, and commonly their families too, feel they need hands-on, expert guidance through the days, weeks or months of end-of-life care that lie ahead.
The person lives alone and family members aren’t close enough to help them in their wish to die at home.
The person doesn’t want their end-of-life care to be provided by family members, preferring a live-in carer to support them, so that they and their relatives can concentrate on having family time together.
Key elements of ENA live-in end-of-life care
Our 24-hour support as a person nears the end of their life is invaluable. Death remains shrouded in mystery for many people and we aim to demystify what the last weeks, days and hours might look like, giving everyone involved the chance to plan for that time wisely.
As well as exemplary care and support, we also provide great knowledge and understanding. At this very personal time for clients and their families, our live-in carers become a trusted presence, unobtrusive and never interfering – there to provide what the person and their family needs when appropriate, while offering privacy and space when needed.
We appreciate that asking a care provider to support a person’s end-of-life care is not something people do lightly, and we are committed to repaying the faith shown in us. More than anything, we want the person to experience a ‘good death’ and for their family to feel that this was provided, in the hope it will make the grieving process for those left behind a little easier.
What is the difference between end-of-life care and palliative care?
End-of-life care includes palliative care. However, palliative care is not just for the end of life period. A person can receive palliative care earlier on in their illness, when they are still receiving treatment.
Palliative care ensures that those who have an incurable illness live as well as they can by managing pain and other symptoms with a holistic approach. This approach supports the ‘whole’ person who is being cared for, as well as their family. The care includes social, psychological and spiritual support, as well as medication management. Palliative care at home provides support from a carer who is specifically experienced in this type of care, while the person receiving care is surrounded by their home comforts.
The benefits of ENA live-in end-of-life care
Keeping the person comfortable
The biggest worry for many people who are dying is how they will be kept as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Our live-in carers recognise the importance of this and will get to know the person as quickly as possible so that they can recognise signs of distress and ensure the appropriate treatment (as prescribed by the person’s medical team) is provided. If the person is living with a condition that requires specialist support, for example dementia or Parkinson’s care, or if they need complex care support, we can provide a carer who has the appropriate experience.
Sensitive support for an emotionally-charged time
The end of a person’s life is arguably one of the most emotional experiences that person and their family will go through. Our live-in carers pride themselves on being sensitive to the needs of everyone, however closely involved, and will provide the emotional support needed.
Working with the person’s multi-disciplinary team
Our carers will, at all times, liaise with the many professionals who may be involved in the person’s care, from palliative care or district nurses to the person’s GP or specialist. This ensures that all recommendations for the person’s care are understood and carried out effectively.
Removing a family’s worry about ‘doing the right thing’
Many families we meet are often worried about ‘doing the right thing’ for their dying relative in the last stages of their life. Having a live-in carer in the person’s home can alleviate some of those concerns, and means an experienced professional is always on hand to answer any questions they might have.
Help to create a relaxing environment
Every dying person will have their own ideas about what type of environment they are happiest in, and the sorts of sensory or other support mechanisms that will make them feel most comfortable and relaxed. Our carers can support a wide range of preferences, from playing favourite music to using aromatherapy scents as well as supporting religious customs as directed by the person’s faith leader(s).
Support with personal care and pampering
It may be very important for the client to maintain their appearance in their last weeks. We can help with all aspects of personal care, alongside arranging for the individual to enjoy some pampering or grooming from outside professionals, or supporting their independence if they are still able to do some of those things themselves.
Companionship for when family members need a break
Some family members may wish to remain with their relative throughout the last stages of their life, but realise this can lead to exhaustion. Having a live-in carer means there is always someone to sit with them, interact with them as appropriate, talk to them and do anything else that the person might find comforting or reassuring, whilst family members take the break they need.
Support with domestic tasks
Our live-in carers are able to help with meal preparation and all manner of domestic tasks around the home. A person nearing the end of their life may still enjoy eating and drinking, even in small quantities, and our live-in carers can prepare foods and drinks that meet their needs as well as assist with other activities.
Helping family members to provide care
Some family members may wish to provide care for their dying relative themselves, including, for example, skin care or mouth care or other personal routines. Our carers are always on hand to help family members in nurturing their relative as best they can.
Care after death
Having a live-in carer gives families peace of mind about what happens when the person dies. The live-in carer will follow all applicable protocols and ensure the grieving family aren’t worrying about what to do next.
Contact us to discuss your end-of-life care needs
We are always available to help you understand end-of-life care better, and to discuss the best home care and support options for you and your family. You can call us on 01707 333 700 or email