Palliative Care

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative Care is the term used to describe the care needed when a loved one has an illness that cannot be cured. Its purpose is two-fold, providing comfort, pain management and medication, alongside emotional and spiritual support – for both Members and their families.

This type of care can be delivered in several ways:

• Residential care – This option enables you and your loved one to access the full suite of facilities available, with round-the-clock professional support.

We strive to co-design care plans with our Members and their families for such a time; however, this is not always possible. In these circumstances, our experienced team will work with you to develop an appropriate care plan in earnest.

When is Palliative Care Appropriate?

Palliative care covers a spectrum which is broader than end-of-life care. An incurable illness may require palliative care for several years, enabling the Member to live well for as long as possible. How soon this kind of care may be needed wholly depends on the Member, their illness, their family situation and, of course, their own personal preferences.

Palliative care can take the form of residential care, home visits or Loveday Day Club membership and may be frequent or infrequent, depending on the needs of the Member and their family or support network.

Developing a care plan early on can help to reduce the stress of dealing with an incurable illness. It can also ensure a care team is on hand, which has experience of the Member and their health and family circumstances.

End-of-life care falls within the palliative spectrum and is usually planned with Members and families along their care journey with Loveday. Sometimes advance planning is not possible, at which point our specialist team is on hand to support in earnest.

How to choose the right Palliative Care option for you?

Palliative care can be part of a short-, medium- or long-term care plan, depending on the Member’s needs. Typical factors to be considered include:

• Family situation: the support network around the Member, their availability, work situation and own health should all be considered.
• Member wishes: Members may want to improve their social setting, and they may be keen to get outdoors more or try new experiences. These personal preferences can all be taken into account when designing their care plan.
• Medical needs: there are often medical parameters which need to be accounted for, whether this relates to medication to be administered within a certain schedule or particular equipment which is required for medical support.

End-of-life care planning could be considered to be similar; however, of course, this is the end of our Member’s care journey, so family and Members should consider where their loved one wants to be. This is often either within the residence where they’ve lived well and established friendships over a given period or at home with their memories and extended family. Our team works closely with families to establish the right care plan, to be delivered at the right time for our Members.

What is the difference between Palliative Care and Hospice Care?

Palliative care and hospice care are both types of healthcare that focus on improving the quality of life for individuals facing serious illnesses. They both focus on alleviating discomfort to ensure a dignified, patient-centered approach to healthcare. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between palliative care and hospice care include:

Goal and Timing:

• Palliative Care: This type of care is provided at any stage of a serious illness, not just at the end of life. The goal of palliative care is to provide relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness, with the intention of improving the patient’s overall quality of life. Palliative care can be administered alongside curative treatments which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, antibiotics for infections and other targeted therapies.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care is specifically for individuals who are nearing the end of life, typically when curative treatments are no longer effective or desired. The focus is on providing comfort and support rather than attempting to cure the illness.

Treatment Focus:

• Palliative Care: The physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of an illness are addressed in palliative care. This  includes symptom management, pain control and emotional support. It can be provided alongside curative treatments.
• Hospice Care: The emphasis is on keeping the patient comfortable and managing symptoms at all times, with the understanding that the underlying illness is not responding to curative treatments. Hospice care often involves discontinuing aggressive treatments that are no longer providing benefits.

Location of Care:

• Palliative Care: This can be provided in various settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics and even at home.
• Hospice Care: While it can also be provided in different settings, hospice care often involves caring for the individual in their own home or in a specialised hospice facility.

Timing of Decision:

• Palliative Care: This can be initiated at any point during a serious illness, even when the patient is still receiving curative treatments.
• Hospice Care: Typically, a decision to enter hospice care is made when the prognosis is that the patient has a limited time left to live, often six months or less.

In summary, palliative care is a broader approach to care that can be implemented at any stage of a serious illness, whereas hospice care is specifically designed for individuals near the end of life. Both types of care aim to improve the quality of life for patients and provide support to their families in the most dignified and compassionate way.

 Palliative Care at Home

Our team at Loveday includes many specialist palliative carers, who have expert knowledge, experience and training needed to provide your loved one with the highest level of care and support.

• Bespoke care: At Loveday, we tailor care plans around the unique needs of every individual we have the pleasure of caring for, and their loved ones. Care plans are reviewed and updated regularly, in line with the changing care needs. Loveday’s Palliative Care at Home can include:
• Home visits: Scheduled home visits provide support when continuous care isn’t necessary. Ideal for situations where your loved one doesn’t require 24/7 supervision, these visits involve administering medication, assisting with daily tasks and offering companionship. This tailored approach ensures their wellbeing while allowing them to maintain independence in the comfort of their home.
• Live-in care: This  involves dedicated care assistants living  in the same home as the individual, offering continuous support throughout. This comprehensive and personalised approach ensures that the patient receives ongoing assistance, providing a sense of security and wellbeing within their familiar environment.
  Benefits of Palliative care at home

Acknowledging and confronting weaknesses and mortality is a challenge for everybody, but this reluctance is often heightened in the elderly, which may cause them to distrust unfamiliar people or environments during times of ill health and vulnerability. Opting for palliative care in their own home can provide comfort and familiarity, giving the opportunity for trust and friendship to be built and eliminating stress and anxiety.

Palliative Care at Home may also be more convenient for family members, giving peace of mind that their loved one is being looked after and cared for in the best possible way.

At what stage of an illness is palliative care needed?

Palliative care can be beneficial at any stage of a serious illness, from the initial diagnosis through to treatment and beyond. Palliative care is not limited to a specific point in the disease progression and can be provided alongside curative treatments. Palliative care is focused on improving the quality of life for individuals facing serious illnesses by addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Some situations in which palliative care might be considered include:

At the Time of Diagnosis:

Palliative care can be initiated when a serious illness is diagnosed to help manage symptoms, address emotional concerns and provide support for both the patient and their family from the beginning of the illness.

During Active Treatment:

Palliative care can be integrated into the treatment plan for individuals receiving aggressive or curative treatments. It helps manage the side effects of treatments, control symptoms and support the overall wellbeing of the patient.

For Chronic or Progressive Illnesses:

Palliative care is often appropriate for individuals with chronic or progressive illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and neurodegenerative diseases.

As a Transition to End-of-Life Care:

If the condition worsens and it has been advised that curative treatments are no longer effective or desired, palliative care can transition into end-of-life or hospice care.

For Long-Term Illnesses and Disabilities:

Palliative care is not limited to terminal illnesses. It can be provided for patients with long-term illnesses or disabilities to manage symptoms and enhance their quality of life.

The goal of palliative care is to relieve suffering, improve the individual’s overall wellbeing and support their family. It is a holistic approach that considers the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of care.

End of Life Care at Loveday

At Loveday, it is our deeply held belief that every person deserves dignity and respect in all aspects of their care. This is perhaps most important as we approach the end of our lives.

Our caring and empathetic team provide highly sensitive and compassionate end-of-life care, working to plan the care in conjunction with medical and other health professionals. We provide palliative care to manage pain and make the individual Member as comfortable as possible, ensuring each person receives their care where and how they want it, throughout their final days and hours.

We support our Member’s families at this time in any way we can, from arranging visits from any religious order to practical support with arrangements, and hospitality and emotional support during visits at any time of day or night.

Members are welcome to move into one of our Suites at any stage of their journey, from months to a few weeks, depending on their preference for support during this time. Full nursing support and bespoke hospitality is a given. Loveday can of course support any medical condition and nursing needs.

Loveday is registered for the Gold Standard Framework for end-of-life care and has received high praise from individuals who have entrusted their loved ones to us, to spend their last days within the care of our team.