Question 52
How does palliative care at home work?
Palliative care at home manages symptoms and maintains comfort for people with a terminal illness who want to stay at home. It is provided by a team that typically includes GPs, district nurses and specialist palliative care nurses. Marie Curie and similar organisations can provide overnight nursing care. NHS Continuing Healthcare Fast Track can arrange fully funded care within 48 hours for someone who is rapidly deteriorating. Palliative care also includes emotional and practical support for families. If someone wishes to die at home, putting this in writing as an Advance Care Plan significantly increases the likelihood of that wish being respected.
If someone wants to die at home, put this in writing as an Advance Care Plan as early as possible — do not leave it until the situation is urgent.
What changes the answer
- The person's wishes about where they want to be cared for
- Availability of local hospice at home services
- Whether Fast Track NHS Continuing Healthcare has been considered