Exceptional Palliative Care at home for over 60 years
Palliative care at home
Caring for a loved one in the final stages of life is a deeply personal and emotional journey. At Consultus Care and Nursing, we understand the unique challenges that come with providing palliative care. Our goal is to ensure that your loved one receives the highest standard of care, tailored to their needs, while allowing them to remain in the familiar and comforting environment of their own home. With our experienced carers and nurses by their side, your loved one can experience dignity, respect, and peace during this time.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a specialist form of care designed to provide relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress caused by a terminal illness focusing on improving the quality of life for both the person receiving care and their family. Palliative care addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the individual, offering a holistic approach to care. This type of care is not limited to those who are at the end of life; it can also be beneficial for those managing chronic conditions, where the goal is to maintain comfort and quality of life.
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We provide exceptional, high-quality Live-in Care services throughout the UK. Call our friendly care consultants today to learn how Consultus Care & Nursing can support you or a loved one.
Conditions that can be supported by palliative care
Palliative care can be a versatile and comprehensive approach to managing a wide range of serious illnesses. It is not limited to any specific condition but is particularly beneficial for those experiencing complex symptoms, significant pain, or a decline in their overall quality of life.
Conditions commonly supported by palliative care at home include:
Cancer: Palliative care plays a crucial role in helping those living with cancer manage pain, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms caused by the disease or its treatment, enhancing comfort and quality of life.
Heart Disease: For individuals with advanced heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, palliative care can help manage symptoms like shortness of breath, pain, and fatigue, and provide support with lifestyle adjustments.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Palliative care offers relief from the debilitating symptoms of COPD, including breathlessness, coughing, and anxiety, helping patients manage their condition more effectively.
Kidney Disease: Patients with advanced kidney disease, especially those undergoing dialysis, can benefit from palliative care to manage pain, fatigue, and other treatment-related symptoms.
Neurological disorders: Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and motor neurone disease often lead to complex symptoms that can be effectively managed with palliative care, improving quality of life.
Dementia: Although dementia is a progressive condition, palliative care can provide symptom relief and emotional support, particularly in the later stages when comfort care becomes the priority.
Stroke: Patients who have suffered a stroke often face significant physical and cognitive challenges. Palliative care can help manage pain, mobility issues, speech difficulties, and emotional distress, supporting recovery and improving quality of life.
Liver Disease: Patients with chronic liver conditions can benefit from palliative care, which helps manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, and swelling, and supports the patient’s overall well-being.
Palliative care is tailored to the individual’s needs, ensuring that no matter the condition, they receive the compassionate, comprehensive care required to live as comfortably as possible.
What does palliative Live-in Care cover?
Our live-in palliative care service is comprehensive and personalised to meet the unique needs of your loved one. Our care plans are designed to ensure comfort, dignity, and peace, providing both practical and emotional support. Our dedicated carers and nurses work closely with you and your family to develop a bespoke care plan that evolves as your loved one’s condition changes.
Our palliative care typically includes:
Pain and symptom management: Expert management of pain and other distressing symptoms to ensure your loved one’s comfort and well-being.
Personal care: Sensitive assistance with daily activities such as washing, dressing, and grooming, whilst maintaining personal hygiene and dignity.
Medication support: Assistance with medication administration, ensuring timely and accurate doses, and co-ordinating with healthcare professionals for prescriptions and medical supplies.
Cooking and hydration: Preparing meals and drinks that meet your loved one’s nutritional needs and preferences, ensuring they are well-nourished and hydrated.
Emotional and psychological support: Providing companionship, understanding, and emotional support to your loved one, helping them navigate the psychological challenges that often accompany serious illness.
Mobility support: Assisting with movement and positioning to ensure comfort and prevent complications such as bedsores.
Family support: Offering guidance and emotional support to family members, helping you through this deeply upsetting time with compassion, empathy and understanding.
Benefits of palliative Live-in Care vs. Hospice Care
Choosing the right care for your loved one during their final stages of life is a significant decision.
While hospice care is an option, live-in palliative care offers several distinct benefits that can enhance the quality of life for your loved one and provide peace of mind for the family.
Familiar environment: One of the most important benefits of live-in palliative care is that your loved one can remain in their own home. Familiar surroundings can offer a great deal of comfort, reducing worry and helping your loved one feel more at ease during this difficult time.
Personalised one-to-one support: In a hospice, care is shared among several patients. With live-in care, your loved one receives dedicated, one-to-one attention from a carer who is focused solely on their needs, preferences, and comfort.
Continuity of care and routine: Maintaining a consistent routine is vital for someone in palliative care, as it helps create a sense of stability and peace. Live-in care ensures that these routines are preserved, and any changes are introduced gradually and sensitively.
Family involvement: Live-in care allows family members to remain closely involved in their loved one’s care. You can continue to be an active part of their life, without the restrictions often imposed by hospice schedules and protocols.
Enhanced quality of life: Your loved one can enjoy the comfort of their own home, surrounded by loved ones and cherished memories, while receiving the expert care they need. This approach fosters a sense of dignity and respect that can be difficult to maintain in some institutional settings.
Why choose Consultus Care & Nursing?
With over 60 years of experience in providing exceptional live-in care, Consultus Care and Nursing has established itself as a trusted provider of palliative care in the UK. We understand that every individual is unique, which is why we take the time to match your loved one with a carer who not only has the skills and experience necessary but also shares similar values and interests. This careful matching process ensures that your loved one feels comfortable and at ease, fostering a relationship built on trust and respect.
Choice and control: Our live-in care services offer families choice and flexibility. You can either manage the care arrangement yourself or let us handle everything, ensuring that your loved one receives the care they need without any added stress.
Quality care for life: Whether it’s short-term respite care or ongoing live-in care, choosing Consultus means that your loved one doesn’t have to leave their home to receive the care they need. We provide continuity of care that offers peace of mind to families.
Established and trusted: Since 1962, families have trusted us to provide the highest standards of care, with a reputation built on recommendation. We remain a family-owned and managed business, focusing on the quality of our service rather than meeting investors’ expectations.
Accredited training: All our carers receive market-leading training, accredited by Skills for Care for its excellence. This ensures that our carers are equipped to deliver the quality of care that our clients deserve.
Clinical oversight: Our live-in care service is overseen by qualified registered nurses who support our teams, ensuring that we can effectively help those living with complex conditions to live well at home.
How much does palliative Live-in Care cost?
The cost of live-in palliative care varies depending on the level of care required and the specific needs of your loved one. We are committed to transparency in our pricing and believe that exceptional care should be accessible and straightforward to understand. We offer competitive rates with no hidden fees, ensuring that you know exactly what to expect.
We understand that navigating the costs of care can be overwhelming, which is why we are here to support you in exploring your options and finding a solution that works for your family. For a personalised quote and to discuss your loved one’s needs in more detail, please contact us. Our compassionate Care Advisors are on hand to guide you through the process and ensure that you find the right care solution.
Funding palliative care at home
Edith's Story
Consultus were contacted by the family of an 85-year-old lady living in the home counties. Edith had been suffering from heart problems for a number of years and was now bed-bound.
With her condition deteriorating, Edith’s family was hoping to arrange for a live-in carer to take care of her and support them and the various healthcare professionals involved in her palliative care.
The family discussed with us their desire for their mother to remain at home and they explained the extent of care already being provided by local carers and the family.
The first carer booked to help Edith was Jane, who had worked for Consultus for many years. This very experienced carer was chosen by the Care Consultant for her calm and compassionate nature. Jane was an excellent choice, developing an immediate bond with Edith and her family. Our live-in carers supported the local carers by delivering all of Edith’s personal care, including bed bathing, turning at regular intervals night and day, and managing incontinence.
The family was relieved that Jane was able to extend her booking, but as was natural at this very difficult time the workload was particularly onerous entailing long hours, so we twice arranged for a new carer, Susan, to enable Jane to take a few days break.
Our carers also performed the vital role of communicating gently with Edith and offering her and the family continuous reassurance. They worked alongside the GP and palliative care nurses, remaining flexible in a changing situation to provide continuous end-of-life care.
Six weeks after our carers were assigned, Edith died peacefully in her own home, surrounded by her family. The family warmly acknowledged Jane and Susan’s indispensable contribution.