End of Life Care

End of life care supports someone who is approaching the final stage of their life. It focuses on their comfort, dignity, quality of life and personal wishes.

Care may include help with personal care, meals, drinks, medication routines and everyday comfort. It can also provide practical assistance and reassurance for family members during a difficult and emotional time.

Yes. End of life care can often be provided in the person’s own home, depending on their needs, wishes and clinical circumstances.

Community nurses and specialist palliative care professionals may provide nursing care, symptom guidance and emotional support at home.

A professional carer can work alongside this team by providing personal care and practical everyday support.

An end of life carer may help with washing, dressing, toileting, meals, drinks, medication routines and maintaining a comfortable environment.

They can also provide companionship and practical support for relatives. The exact responsibilities are agreed through an assessment and recorded in the care plan.

Nursing care, medical treatment and decisions about symptom control remain with qualified healthcare professionals.

The terms are closely connected, but they do not always mean exactly the same thing. Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life for someone living with a life-limiting illness and may begin earlier.

End of life care usually refers more specifically to support as someone approaches the final stage of life. The person’s healthcare team can explain which services are appropriate for their circumstances.

A carer may provide medication support when it has been assessed, agreed and recorded in the care plan.

The type of support depends on the medication, the person’s needs and the carer’s training and responsibilities. 

Carers cannot prescribe medication, change a dose or make clinical decisions about symptom control. These responsibilities remain with the GP, nurse or specialist palliative care team.

With the person’s consent and suitable arrangements in place, carers can follow guidance from GPs, district nurses and palliative care teams.

They may record relevant observations, support agreed routines and report changes through the established process. 

End of life care at home often involves several professionals working together, each with a clearly defined role.

Yes. A person’s needs may change, sometimes quickly, as they approach the end of life. Their care plan should be reviewed so that practical support remains appropriate.

Changes may include requiring more personal care, help with eating and drinking or additional professional input.

Carers follow the current care plan and report relevant changes to the appropriate family member or healthcare professional.

A carer can ease some of the practical pressure by supporting personal care, meals and daily routines. This can give relatives more opportunity to spend meaningful time with their loved one.

The carer can also provide updates within the agreed communication plan. 

Hospices and palliative care services may offer further guidance and emotional support to relatives caring for someone at home.

The person’s wishes, values and preferences should remain central to their care. We ask how they want to be supported, which routines matter to them and who they want involved in decisions.

Personalised end of life care should give people choice and control over how their support is planned and delivered.

Any advance care plans or professional instructions should be shared through the appropriate process.

The timeframe depends on the person’s needs, the care required and suitable carer availability. We begin by listening carefully and completing an assessment so that care can be arranged safely.

If the situation is urgent, let our team know during the first conversation. We will explain what may be possible and work with the family and relevant professionals to determine the next steps.