How Palliative Live-in Care Provides Comfort and Compassion for Families

Dec 17, 2024 | News

Facing the end of a loved one’s life is an incredibly emotional and challenging time. The care that a person receives as their life draws to a close can make an enormous difference, not just in terms of their own comfort and emotional wellbeing, but for those close to them too. Live-in palliative care offers a way to make this journey more manageable by focusing on comfort, dignity and compassion for both the individual and their family.  

What is live-in palliative care? 

Palliative care, sometimes called end-of-life or terminal care, is a specialised type of support provided to those nearing the end of their life. While this care can take place in hospitals, hospices or care homes, many people prefer to remain at home, where they feel most comfortable and secure. 

Palliative live-in care focuses on alleviating suffering, enhancing quality of life and providing emotional support to both the individual and their family. It’s not just about medical care – far from it – but about holistic support that respects the person’s wishes and helps them live as fully and comfortably as possible during their final days, weeks or months. 

How does palliative care at home work? 

By enabling people to spend their final days in the familiarity of their own home, surrounded by loved ones and familiar belongings, at-home palliative care provides physical, emotional and practical support that can rarely be matched in other settings. 

Having a live-in carer on hand, focused on providing personalised, one-to-one support helps to prioritise dignity and comfort while ensuring the individual’s needs and preferences are met.  

Key aspects of live-in palliative care include: 

Pain and symptom management 

A primary goal of palliative care is to alleviate physical discomfort, rather than actively treating disease. This is often through medication and complementary therapies like massage, that promote maximum comfort for the individual without the stress that can come with more invasive treatments.  

Day-to-day assistance 

Caregivers provide practical help with everyday tasks, such as bathing, dressing and eating, so the individual can maintain as much normalcy and independence as possible during this very strange and difficult time.  

Emotional and social support 

Compassionate care isn’t limited to physical needs, and never is this more true than in at-home palliative care settings. Caregivers offer a listening ear, companionship and sensitive communication, ensuring the individual and their family feel supported emotionally, and better equipped to cope with what lies ahead. 

Coordination with healthcare professionals 

Palliative carers are professionals who will work closely with doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers, ensuring seamless and comprehensive care at home that puts the needs and wishes of the individual first.  

Benefits of live-in palliative care 

Choosing palliative care at home offers significant advantages for both the person receiving care and their loved ones. 

Benefits for the individual 

• Comfort in familiar surroundings – being at home allows individuals to remain surrounded by their belongings, memories and loved ones, offering a deep sense of comfort and security. 
• Tailored care – this sort of palliative care is entirely personalised, ensuring the person’s preferences and choices guide every aspect of their day-to-day support. 
• Dignity and independence – staying at home enables individuals to retain a sense of control and dignity, even during this difficult stage of life. 

Benefits for families 

• Peace of mind – knowing their loved one is comfortable, pain-free and receiving compassionate, professional care brings immense relief to family members. 
• Reduced caregiving pressure – live-in palliative care eases the burden on family caregivers, allowing them to focus on being present and making memories during the precious time they have left with their loved one. 
• Emotional support – professional carers also provide emotional support to families, helping them navigate this deeply personal experience. 

If you or a loved one would benefit from professional, compassionate end-of-life care at home, get in touch with OxleyCare today.