End of Life Care at Home: What It Involves and How It Can Help

For many people approaching the end of life, staying at home is not just a preference, but a source of comfort, dignity, and peace. End-of-life care at home focuses on supporting someone in the final weeks or months of life, prioritising comfort, symptom management, and emotional well-being, while allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings.

This guide explains what end-of-life care at home involves in the UK, how it differs from earlier stages of palliative care, what families can expect, and how support is coordinated.

What Is End of Life Care at Home?

End-of-life care at home is provided when someone is thought to be in the last months, weeks, or days of life. National care guidance in the UK explains that the focus at this point is on comfort, dignity, and quality of life, rather than curative treatment.

End-of-life care at home aims to:

• Keep the person as comfortable and free from distress as possible
• Manage symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, nausea, or anxiety
• Support emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs
• Respect the person’s wishes about where and how they are cared for

Care is usually planned in advance and reviewed regularly. Support may be provided by GPs, community nurses, specialist palliative care teams, carers, and family members, working together to meet changing needs.

How End-of-Life Care at Home Differs From Palliative Care

Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and may continue for months or even years alongside treatment. End-of-life care is a later stage of palliative care, focusing specifically on the final phase of life.

This article expands on stage 4: end-of-life care, as outlined in Elder’s guide to the five stages of palliative care, by looking in more detail at what this stage involves when care is delivered at home.

End-of-Life Care at Home in the Final Phase

This phase of palliative care is often reached when treatments aimed at controlling illness are no longer effective or appropriate. At this stage, care is centred on comfort, dignity, and respecting the person’s wishes.

What support typically looks like

End-of-life care at home may include:

• Regular visits from community nurses or specialist palliative care teams
• Support with personal care, repositioning, and hygiene
• Medication management to control pain and other symptoms
• Emotional reassurance and companionship
• Practical support for family carers

Care plans are reviewed frequently, as needs can change quickly during this stage.

Symptom management and comfort

Managing symptoms is a central part of end-of-life care. This may involve:

• Pain relief and comfort medication
• Support with breathing difficulties
• Managing agitation, restlessness, or confusion
• Ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration where appropriate

The goal is to minimise discomfort and allow the person to rest peacefully.

Emotional and psychological support

End-of-life care at home also recognises the emotional impact on both the individual and their loved ones. Support may include:

• Creating a calm and reassuring environment
• Helping families understand what changes to expect
• Supporting conversations about wishes, fears, and preferences

Many people find that being at home helps them feel more at ease during this stage.

Who Is End-of-Life Care at Home Suitable For?

End-of-life care at home may be suitable for people who:

• Have expressed a wish to remain at home
• Have symptoms that can be managed safely outside the hospital
• Have family or professional support available
• Want greater control over their daily environment

Care teams will usually assess whether home care is appropriate based on medical needs and available support.

How Care Is Coordinated at Home

End-of-life care at home is typically coordinated through a care plan involving:

• The person’s GP
• Community nursing teams
• Specialist palliative care services
• Carers providing day-to-day support

Clear communication between professionals helps ensure care remains responsive and aligned with the person’s wishes.

Supporting Families and Carers

UK health and care organisations recognise that families and carers play a central role in end-of-life care at home. Guidance highlights the importance of ensuring carers feel informed, supported, and able to ask for help.

Support for families may include:

• Clear explanations of what to expect as someone approaches the end of life
• Practical advice on comfort, personal care, and medication routines
• Emotional support, reassurance, and time to talk through concerns
• Access to professional advice, including out-of-hours support when needed

Having consistent professional input alongside family care can help reduce anxiety and ensure no one feels they are coping alone.

Why Many People Choose End-of-Life Care at Home

UK care guidance consistently shows that many people express a wish to remain at home at the end of life if it is safe and possible to do so. Being cared for at home can support emotional well-being and a sense of control during a deeply personal time.

Common reasons people choose end-of-life care at home include:

• Familiar surroundings and daily routines
• The ability to be close to family, friends, and loved ones
• A calmer, more personal environment than hospital settings
• Greater involvement in decisions about care and comfort

For families, home-based end of life care can also allow more meaningful time together, supported by professionals when needed.

How Elder Can Support End-of-Life Care at Home

Elder provides care at home, including live-in care, to support people with complex and changing needs. While medical care is led by healthcare professionals, carers can help with comfort, personal care, and companionship during the end-of-life stage.

If you are exploring end-of-life care at home, Elder’s care specialists can help you understand your options, coordinate support, and plan care that reflects your wishes.

You may also find it helpful to read Elder’s broader guidance on palliative care and the five stages of palliative care, which this article builds on.