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“The care Mum received during her last days was above and beyond expectation. That sort of commitment can only be provided by genuinely caring people.”
End of Life Care
End-of-life is a challenging subject, often overlooked in discussions. Yet it’s a significant part of providing comprehensive residential and nursing care.
At Heartlands Care, we provide a “home for life” for all of our residents, and as life cannot go on forever, exceptional End-of-Life care is a hugely important aspect of the care we offer.
Across our network of Heartlands Care, we often hear questions and concerns about end-of-life care. Here we offer answers to our frequently asked questions on this topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
We often hear similar questions from families about end-of-life care. Here we provide clear, compassionate answers to help you understand what to expect.
Is there a procedure in place for death in the care home?
At Heartlands Care, we work very closely with you and your family to define a detailed End of Life Care Plan.
This care plan helps us reflect your personal wishes and put in place any arrangements and requests for your final days. If, for whatever circumstance, you have limited or no capacity, we work with your family to ensure your wishes are honoured.
What does an End of Life Care Plan cover?
Our End of Life Care Plans, an integral part of our residential care, cover areas such as medical interventions (resuscitation), dietary preferences, spiritual requests and the atmosphere of your room. For example, you and your family might request candles to help you relax or specific music to offer comfort. Our staff will adapt the ambience of your room to reflect these wishes.
It is of utmost importance to us that we achieve the optimum levels of comfort for you and your family at this time. This isn’t just about clinical care – it’s about creating an environment of peace, dignity, and love.
How will care staff keep in touch with family?
At Heartlands Care, we prioritise communication.
We ensure that families of residents with declining health are always kept closely informed by management and senior staff on a daily basis. Any change to your loved one’s health is reported straight away.
We also encourage families and friends to visit as often as they wish. You’re welcome to call the home for frequent updates anytime. If your loved one’s health worsens, you’re contacted immediately.
Can we stay at the home near the end?
We encourage and support you to stay with your loved one 24/7 in their final few days. We’ll try our very best to provide somewhere for you to sleep, whether that’s in your loved one’s own room or an available room in the building.
Our chefs gladly provide fresh home-cooked food to families. Our carers ensure that emotional support and guidance are provided at all times. You’re not alone during this difficult time – we’re here for you as well as your loved one.
What if we can’t get there in time?
In the event that a loved one’s health deteriorates very quickly, we’ll ensure that a member of staff stays with them at all times to offer support and comfort until you’re present.
If that’s not possible, please be assured that a member of staff will remain with your loved one at all times, caring for them with skill, compassion and love. They will not be alone.
Our staff are highly experienced in palliative and end-of-life care. They understand the importance of these final moments and treat them with the reverence and tenderness they deserve.
If you have any questions about end-of-life care at Heartlands Care, please contact us at any time. We’ll be there to support you in that challenging conversation.