What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a type of specialised care that focuses on relieving symptoms of a serious or terminal health condition. It is often provided in the last weeks, months or years of an individual's life. In some cases, palliative care can be provided at home by health professionals with the support  of paid carers and family members. However, some care homes and nursing homes, such as KYN, also offer palliative care. In a residential setting, trained carers and medical staff are on hand round-the-clock to offer help and support. In this guide, we'll discuss the meaning of palliative care and what types of palliative care a person can receive. We'll also explain how to find a palliative care home near you.

Palliative Care: Meaning

Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of someone living with a long-term (chronic), severe or terminal medical condition. For example:

•  Advanced cancer
• The aftermath of an event such as a significant stroke
• Motor neurone disease
• Advanced lung and heart disease 
• Late-stage dementia (including Alzheimer's disease)

Because these conditions are life-limiting (incurable), palliative care focuses mainly on relieving symptoms, rather than treating the underlying illness. Often treated holistically, palliative care should include a combination of physical, emotional and spiritual support. This may include pain relief, physiotherapy, counselling and assistance with day-to-day tasks.

Palliative Care vs. End of Life Care

Palliative care is sometimes called ‘end of life care’. This is because it is usually provided to those living with progressive, terminal or life-threatening conditions. However, palliative care is available as soon as a person is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. This means that they may receive palliative care for weeks, months or even years. ‘End of life care’ specifically refers to the care provided in the last year of an individual’s life. 

What Types of Palliative Care Are There?

The kind of palliative care an individual receives will vary according to their condition. It may be provided by carers, nurses, therapists, hospice teams or a combination of these. Palliative care begins with accurately assessing the person’s care needs, then creating a care plan, personalised according to the individual and their needs. Their GP and other care professionals will work together to create it. The plan will detail: 

• The main symptoms and how these will be relieved (e.g. pain, loss of appetite, fatigue)
• Details of any necessary medications or therapies
• How the condition might progress
• How treatment may have to change to appropriately meet the person’s needs going forward

It will also take into consideration the person’s care preferences. This will include whether they wish to receive palliative care at home or at a care home. There may also be a need for the person to receive some care within a specialist care setting for shorter periods of time, depending on the illness.

Palliative Care at Home

Some people choose to receive palliative care in their own home. This may mean receiving support from family and friends, whilst  having a carer, nurse or other health professional visit regularly (e.g. once a day). The main benefit of at-home palliative care is the comfort of being in a familiar place, surrounded by loved ones. However, as an individual’s symptoms progress, or to respect the persons personal preferences and circumstances they may require a higher level of care or supervision which makes living at home challenging. At this point, they may decide to move into a care home.

Palliative Care in Care Homes

Palliative care in a care home aims to support the person’s independence, dignity and quality of life, and help them feel as comfortable as possible. In a care home, residents can receive round-the-clock support and assistance from trained carers. Staff are on call throughout the day and night to assist with any needs. Following the individual’s personalised care plan, they can provide the right care and support. This may include helping with administering medication, supporting any personal care needs and organising any necessary therapies.  Dual-registered care homes, such as KYN, also have qualified nurses on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means the individual won’t have to move to a nursing home if they require more advanced medical care.

Who Pays for Palliative Care?

Anyone with a long-term complex health need may be eligible for free social care through the NHS. This is called the NHS continuing healthcare program, and can cover care home fees or at-home care. Alternatively, you may be able to receive funding from your local authority. As well as a care assessment, they will conduct a means test to determine how much financial aid you need. If you need to move into a nursing home, NHS-funded nursing care may cover the nursing component of the fees. As part of your end of life care plan, you will also be referred by your GP for free hospice care. The hospice team can visit you at home or at a care home to provide palliative care.

Where Can I Find Palliative Care Homes Near Me?

Not all care homes provide palliative care. To find a palliative care home, you can use the NHS website. Simply enter a location, such as a postcode or town, and click ‘search’. You can also narrow your search by distance. The page will then display a list of services providing palliative care in your specified area. This may include home care services, residential and nursing homes. Their most recent Care Quality Commission inspection rating will also be displayed. If you’re based in London or the South East, KYN care homes provide the highest standards of palliative care in relaxing, beautiful environments. Request a brochure or visit today, or learn more about life at KYN here.

Discover KYN Luxury Care Homes

For world-class residential, nursing, respite and palliative care (London and the South East), contact KYN luxury care homes. At KYN, believe in taking a holistic approach to care, treating physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as a whole. While providing for their individual care needs, we embrace our residents’ history, passions, hopes, inspirations and preferred lifestyles. Our dedicated carers aim to approach palliative care with the utmost empathy, sensitivity and love. Working closely alongside their loved ones and medical professionals, we create detailed care plans for each of our residents to manage pain, maintain dignity and provide a comfortable quality of life. To discover more about palliative care at KYN, enquire today through our online form. You can also call us on +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 or email enquiries@kyn.co.uk.