What is Palliative Care and How Can Care Homes Support Them?

Palliative care is a form of medical care also known as end-of-life care, it’s for those with a terminal or serious illness, someone living with an advanced stage of dementia or cancer, living in their final stages of life. Ranging from a natural decline to more complex conditions. 

Palliative care focuses on the emphasis on easing their pain management and other symptoms that come alongside their condition, whilst improving their quality of life and supporting their wishes. Palliative care is also known as 'supportive care', as well as providing care to the residents, loved one's care is also given through advice and support to help them during this upsetting, difficult time, meaning they can spend those special moments together alongside receiving the help required in a professional, homely setting.

Palliative care is also a lot more hands-on compared to other types of care that we offer, residents receive 24 hour support within a warm and relaxing environment.

Our care home in Aberdeen is very proud to have a team of qualified and professional nurses who offer compassionate palliative care. By having our nurses available 24/7 we’re able to appreciate the uniqueness of each resident, meaning we can provide that personal level of care for their specific needs.

Where Can I Find Palliative Care?

Within Woodlands Care Home, we’re strong believers of a holistic approach to care and we work extremely closely with other healthcare professionals to make sure the desires and needs of our residents who require palliative care is met at a high standard, this is supported in a sensitive and positive manner.

We understand and acknowledge these times can be stressful, emotional and challenging for both residents and their families, which is why its important that we can’t emphasise enough that we have no restrictions on visiting hours for families to spend time together, you can come and see your loved one any time you'd like, we encourage it as often as possible. This ensures both yourself and your loved one is happy and content, spending as much time together, especially during the last months. Our goal is and always will be to provide the best level of palliative care alongside practical support to both our residents and their loved ones.

When Should Someone Be Offered Palliative Care?

Palliative care should be offered when you or your loved one has a terminal or serious illness that requires intense treatment to minimise certain pain and symptoms of their condition. Palliative care can begin at any point in a diagnosis and will most likely lead to end-of-life, although the earlier palliative care begins, the better; there are five stages of Palliative care to be aware of.

Palliative care can also be administered in multiple settings such as care homes, in a hospice, hospitals or even their own home, it's all down to personal preference. However, opting for a care home such as Woodlands that offers palliative care, ensures access to continued support from skilled and experienced nurses within a setting that feels just like home and it takes that stress and worry off your shoulders.

The 5 Stages of Palliative Care

There are 5 stages of palliative care to be aware of, each one focuses on support and care at a different point within someones life and journey, whether thats the resident or a loved one.

• Stage 1 - Creating a personalised care plan
• Stage 2 - Emotional support
• Stage 3 - Early-stage support
• Stage 4 - End-of-life care begins
• Stage 5 - Supporting loved ones

Stage 1 - Creating A Personalised Care Plan

During the first stage of palliative care, you or your loved one will talk to our dedicated team so we can work together to create a personalised care plan. This care plan will be tailored to the resident, their needs and requirements along with their current physical and emotional needs and who is best suited to provide them.

This plan will also consider any requirements for later in the future for when their condition progresses. 

Stage 2 - Emotional Support

During this stage, if it’s been requested, the most important thing will be the continuous emotional and spiritual support, allowing you and your family to be ready for the next stages of palliative care.

Each stage is personalised to you or your loved one and your care plan can always be adjusted if needed, especially if you or your loved one requires end-of-life care.

We understand how difficult these conversations with your loved ones can be, its an emotional time, but it’s so important to talk, it can make a huge difference to everyones mental health and wellbeing. Our professional and experienced team or nurses and carers are here to help you through these conversations, giving you the support you need, they're not just carers, they're friends.

Stage 3 - Early-Stage Support

Our main priority when someone is receiving palliative care is to ensure whoever is being cared for feels as comfortable and content as possible, our team is also here to help you maintain your independence during this time.

We are passionate about ensuring that all of our residents not only receive an outstanding level of care, but they also have the opportunity to get involved in any activities, hobbies or interests they want to. With a room specifically designed for events and activities, we have some wonderful coordinators who schedule weekly events and wellbeing programmes, offering a range of motivating and stimulating activities and entertainment. With facilities such as baking, pet therapy, sensory activities, day trips out and so much more, our residents are offered with days that are full of choice, they can build relationships along the way, ensuring they live their best lives.

Stage 4 - End-Of-Life Care Begins

During this stage, you or your loved one may transition into end-of-life care and at this point the main priority is to make them as comfortable as can be, providing emotional support to all, our en-suite bedrooms are ideal for this, alongside our nurse call systems.

Stage 5 - Supporting Loved Ones

The final stage is when our team will offer bereavement support to everyone around. During these hard times, people grieve in different ways, so its important to ensure the support for people is there and they receive the most appropriate care.

Are Palliative Care and End-Of-Life Care The Same?

They’re very similar but no, they’re different. Although palliative care can include end-of-life care, palliative care is much broader. You or your loved one can receive palliative care for years before they pass away. Where as end-of-life care is based around different situations, offering treatment and support for those near their end-of-life. However, both have the main aim of providing individuals with as much comfort as possible, reducing their pain and other common symptoms.

Here at Woodlands Care Home we do exactly that alongside ensuring they still live their life to the fullest, doing what they love the most all whilst adhering to their wishes. As mentioned previously, we understand the importance of spending time with family and friends, especially during this period of care. Here at Woodlands Care Home, we allow unrestricted visiting, loved ones are always welcome.

Our Palliative Care Homes

Our palliative care team understand how overwhelming end-of-life care is. If you or your loved one is in need of advice about a long term health condition, serious or terminal illness, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Woodlands Care Home provides palliative nursing care for you or your loved one and you can be rest assured knowing the best level of care will be provided alongside living a great quality of life whilst having support during their stay. As previously stated, a personalised care plan will be created to ensure all their needs are met.

Woodlands Care Home has been purposely-built to ensure we’re always providing a range of facilities and services - all aimed for the wellbeing and comfort of our residents.

What You Can Find At Woodlands Care Home

• Nurse Call Systems
• Personalised Care Plans
• Profiling Beds
• Dentist Appointments
• Doctor Appointments
• Optician Appointments
• Chiropody Appointments
• Physiotherapy Appointments
• Occupational Therapists

If you'd like to get in touch with one of our friendly team members today, please get in contact, we're always happy to offer advice, lend a listening ear, help out offering care and support when needed.