Palliative Care
This is the term given to holistic (whole person) approach to care for anyone who has life-limiting conditions and who are living at home. Palliative care aims to improve quality of life.
How Do We Support Palliative Care?
Most people prefer to stay at home and live independently for as long as possible, with care support. We support you and the professional medical and nursing teams. We can be there for as many hours as you wish.
Palliative care can apply across a wide spectrum of health issues.
Palliative Care At Home
Our carers support your family and the multi-disciplinary team in your home.
They are sensitive to this stage of an illness or condition, and to your feelings and those of your family members and friends. Liaising and communicating with family members is an important part of a carer’s role at this time.
We provide 24/7 cover for your peace of mind.
Palliative carers offer:
Comfort
Some people requiring palliative care may be bedridden and so comfort is of the utmost importance. Carers will be trained to reposition you in your bed to alleviate any areas of discomfort.
Alertness to Symptoms of Pain
Whilst carers are not allowed to prescribe or give medicine or pain relief under any circumstances, they are trained to recognise verbal and non-verbal symptoms of pain. In this situation, they will notify family and health care professionals.
Reassurance
In our experience, many people get great comfort from simply knowing some-one is there, with them at all times. Carers are trained to be calm at all times and to provide reassurance. This can bring great relief into your home at this time.
The presence of a carer also allows family members to take a backseat or a break, which can be a huge benefit for them. Read more about respite care here.
Carer Responsibilities
In addition to specific palliative care needs, a carer’s normal priorities are to ensure you are are safe and comfortable at home include:
- Personal Care : being clean and comfortable which may include assistance with toileting and incontinence
- Food and Fluid Intake : check food is available, shopping lists are updated, meal preparation and assistance with eating
- Medication Prompts : carers prompt for medication reminders
Client Testimonials
On behalf of the entire Prentice family, I would like to thank you so much for your kindness to us over so many years. My father died in 2003 and he was cared for by your agency and we have come up to the present day with (your care) for Mum and Caroline.
The quality of service has always been excellent and we have been so impressed with all the carers, many of whom have become friends. Above all, we have been able to keep our parents at home to the end of their lives and they both loved that.
Thank you indeed for everything.
THE PRENTICE FAMILY
