Hospice Care at Home

What is hospice care at home?

Hospice care at home means getting specialist palliative care and emotional support in your own home where you feel most comfortable.

It is available for people who are approaching the end of life. This includes those with incurable illnesses as well as elderly or frail people whose health is deteriorating and who need extra support.

This care can be offered in the last weeks of life, during sudden changes in a person’s condition, or if being discharged from the hospital and needing care while longer-term support is arranged.

Our experienced team of healthcare assistants are professional, caring, and always aim to go the extra mile.

They provide non-medical, practical, hands-on care including:

• washing, dressing, toileting, moving and pressure area care
• light massage (M technique)
• food and nutrition including, PEG feeding
• help with basic household tasks, including washing, cooking and shopping if needed
• emotional support for both patients and family members.

We work closely with district nurses and our palliative care nurse specialists who provide expert help with symptom control and other medical needs.

All our care is designed to meet a person’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

Families are sometimes worried that accepting our help means we will take over and they won’t be involved.

We will only do what the patient and family want. We work with you, not instead of you.

All of our care is free, including our Hospice at Home service and respite care.

How we can help

End of life care at home

What is end of life care?

End of life care gives support to those who wish to stay at home during the final stages of their life (last 2–3 weeks).

We offer up to four calls a day to provide the care and support needed for the whole family.

We review your needs at each visit. If your condition stabilises or continues longer than expected, we’ll work with your district nurse or healthcare professional to make sure your care is still right for you.

If a longer-term care package is arranged, we can continue to offer support with day and night sits depending on what you need and what’s available.

Crisis Care

What is crisis care?

Crisis care, also known as interim support or rapid response service, is short-term help for people whose condition or circumstances suddenly change, leaving them in urgent need of care.

This might happen if someone’s health gets worse quickly, affecting their mobility or ability to manage daily tasks.

It can also be needed if a family member or carer who has been providing support is no longer able to do so – perhaps because they are unwell or things have become harder to manage.

Our team can offer crisis care at home for up to two weeks.

As a rapid response service, we aim to visit on the same day we receive a referral – sometimes within the hour if needed and if we have staff available.

If we can’t come straight away, we will call you or your family to let you know we’ve received the referral and arrange a time that works best for you. This way you’ll know you’re under our care, you’re not alone and we’re here to support you.

Our quick response can often help avoid an emergency admission to hospital or another care setting by keeping you safe and cared for at home – the place you feel most comfortable.

This also gives your family or other healthcare professionals time to arrange longer-term care.

Respite care

What is respite care?

Respite care is temporary care to allow carers and family members time for themselves to have a break, go out or sleep while their loved one receives the care they need at home.

You will be contacted with times of calls prior to our visits.

Patients and families can request specific days, times, or types of support, and we’ll do our best to meet those needs based on staff availability.

Day sits

Our day sits range from one hour to four hours during the day, tailored to meet the individual’s needs.

Night sits

Our team can provide overnight care for nine hours from 10 pm to 7 am.

We allocate night sits daily based on where they are most urgently needed, while being fair and making sure support is shared across all families.

Night sits can be requested but can’t be pre-booked and depend on availability.

If we can’t offer a night sit on the day you asked for, we’ll try to find another day that works. We also work closely with other hospices and Marie Curie to make sure as many patients as possible are supported overnight.

Discharge help

Some people are ready to leave a hospital, hospice or other temporary care setting, but longer-term care isn’t available to start.

We can support you at home while waiting for a longer-term care package to begin.

This support is available for up to two weeks. If more help is needed after two weeks, we may still be able to offer day or night sits.

How to access hospice care at home

You will need a referral from a healthcare professional such as a district nurse, community nurse or GP.

For advice, information, or to make a referral, call Hospice at Home directly on 07966 502551, any day between 8 am and 9 pm. A care coordinator or team member will answer your call.

You can also call our 24/7 advice line on 01785 270832 at any time, day or night, every day of the year.

Care and support