Palliative care at home

No, palliative care does not mean someone is dying. It’s a type of care that helps people manage the symptoms of serious or life-limiting illnesses at any stage. While it can include end-of-life care, many people receive palliative care for months or even years to improve comfort and quality of life.

While many associate palliative care with pain relief, not everyone experiences pain the same way. In fact, symptoms can vary widely depending on the person, their diagnosis, and the treatment they’re receiving.

Some of the most common symptoms palliative care helps manage include:

• Pain – managed through medication and comfort strategies.
• Loss of appetite – often supported by small, frequent meals and tailored nutrition advice.
• Nausea – caused by treatment or illness, and eased with dietary changes or anti-sickness medication.
• Constipation – often due to medication or reduced mobility, supported with hydration and diet.
• Shortness of breath – eased by sitting up as much as possible, open windows or fans, and sometimes medication.
• Confusion – common in advanced stages of illness and addressed through medical care and environment adjustments.
• Difficulty sleeping – supported through routine, relaxation techniques, and, where appropriate, medication.

Palliative care teams tailor support based on individual needs, ensuring each person receives the right level of comfort, dignity, and care at home.

There are several forms of palliative care, each designed to address different aspects of a patient’s wellbeing. Common types include pain management, symptom control, emotional support, and spiritual care. These approaches work together to improve the quality of life for individuals with serious or life-limiting conditions.

Palliative care can be free in certain situations. For example, hospice care, which supports end-of-life needs, is typically free and includes services like therapy and emotional support. You’ll usually need to be referred by a GP or nurse.

You may need to pay if you want additional home support for daily tasks unless you’re eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding – this covers health and social care costs for those with significant care needs. Home adaptations for palliative care, such as ramps or grab rails, may also involve extra costs, but grants may be available to help.

For more information, read our guide to funding your care.

In the UK, the NHS pays for palliative care at home as it is considered a primary health need. The local authority can carry out a needs assessment to determine the level of care and funding a person is eligible for.

Palliative care can last for as long as it’s needed. It can begin at any point after a diagnosis and may last for days, months, or even years.

When you choose a live-in carer through Elder, they will get to know your specific needs based on the information in your MyElder account. However, certain tasks require specialist training or fall under nursing care, and these are not typically covered by a live-in carer. These tasks include:

• Administering pain relief or medication
• STOMA care
• PEG care
• Wound care
• Ventilation, Oxygen Support, BiPAP or CPAP Support
• Unstable Epilepsy
• Controlled Drug Administration
• Glucose readings via finger pricks
• Injections
• Pessaries, Enemas, Suppositories
• Caring for someone in active addiction.

Palliative care and hospice care both focus on comfort, pain relief, and emotional support. The main difference is that palliative care can be given at any stage of a serious illness — often at home and alongside treatment — while hospice care is usually for those nearing the end of life and is often provided in a hospice setting.