In healthcare, perhaps no phase is as delicate and emotionally charged as end-of-life care. Within care homes, where residents often spend their final days, the provision of compassionate and dignified end-of-life care is paramount. It’s a multifaceted approach that requires not just medical expertise but also profound empathy and understanding.
When a loved one nears the end of their life, carers and nurses need to provide the utmost in honesty and support to all residents and family members, adopting a non-clinical approach wherever possible.
At Princess Christian Care Centre, and across all our Nellsar homes, we have adopted three key pillars of care to ensure our team are there when residents need them most.
Empathy and Kindness
Empathy and kindness are the bedrock of our care philosophy and we strive to create a compassionate environment that centres around them. We understand that end-of-life care can be emotionally challenging for everyone involved, that’s why our entire team works collaboratively to ensure that each individual receives the care they deserve.
Going beyond the surface-level clinical routines and focusing on building genuine connections with residents is crucial. Through empathy, we can step into the shoes of our residents, allowing us to see the world from their perspective and provide the support they need, both physically and emotionally. End-of-life care teams should offer a comforting presence and a compassionate ear, with open communication, allowing residents and their families to express their concerns and wishes freely. By providing a supportive approach, we can ensure that families feel heard, understood, and included in every step of their loved ones journey with us.
Protecting Dignity
One of the hallmarks of end-of-life care in care homes is the emphasis on individualised care plans. By recognising that each resident has unique needs, preferences, and goals, care teams can work closely with residents and their families to develop personalised care plans that prioritise comfort and quality of life. It is paramount that we as care providers demonstrate genuine acts of kindness and uphold the dignity of each individual under their care, ensuring their well-being at all times.
Reassured families
The third pillar to our approach is ensuring we create an environment where families feel reassured and confident in the care their loved ones receive. After all, end-of-life care extends beyond the resident to encompass their families as well. We recognise the profound impact that the end-of-life journey can have on families and strive to provide comprehensive support and guidance throughout that process. For example, we provide a special guest bed for loved ones to stay with us, and as a symbol for passers by and team members to be respectful and quiet, we also place butterflies on the outside of each resident’s door.
Overall, end-of-life care in care homes represents a compassionate and holistic approach to supporting residents during their final chapter of life. By embracing individualised care plans, fostering meaningful connections, honouring resident choices, and providing support for families, care homes can ensure that each resident’s end-of-life journey is characterised by dignity, comfort, and peace. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to reinforcing compassion in care.
Michelle Royle is a Senior Carer at Princess Christian Care Centre, part of Nellsar, a family-run group of 13 Care Homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex. Built on strong foundations, Nellsar has worked hard to build the trusted reputation of its Homes and prides itself on being approachable, accountable and empathic in its relationships with the families it supports.