Is there a difference between end of life and palliative care?

End of life and palliative care may not be something you have thought about before now. However, if or when a time comes, it is good to have given some consideration to this particular care requirement. 

Whether you’re looking for residential care or specifically for palliative or end-of-life care, it is helpful to know the standard and types of care that are offered by a care home.

At Willow Grange, we pride ourselves on offering specialist end of life and palliative care, as well as residential care. Knowing that we have a team of highly experienced palliative care nurses will give you peace of mind and enable your family to make the most of your time together.

Does palliative care mean end of life care?

Sometimes, the terms ‘end-of-life care’ and ‘palliative care’ are used interchangeably. In certain contexts, it’s helpful to define ‘end of life care’ and understand how it differs from palliative care. 

Essentially, palliative care has the broad aim of providing comfort and maintaining quality of life for people who have a serious and life-threatening illness.

While palliative care can effectively continue for years, end-of-life care is offered to people who are near the end of their life. NHS England guidelines define end of life care as: ‘care that is provided in the last year of life’, although for some conditions – where a path is unpredictable – end-of-life care may be provided for months or years.

What is the difference between palliative care and end of life care?

The World Health Organization defines palliative care as ‘an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illness’. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification and treatment of pain.

The emphasis of palliative care is to manage pain and any other symptoms of a life-limiting or life-threatening illness. Palliative care sees the person as a whole – not defined by their illness – so it also involves psychological, emotional, practical, social, and spiritual aspects of their care. Palliative care helps people to live as actively and fully as possible – it may or may not be delivered alongside a potentially curative treatment. 

End of life care is usually offered to those who are thought to be in the last year or months of their life. The aim here is to help someone be as comfortable as possible, as well as making sure that practical matters are sorted out.

NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, has extensive guidelines on end-of-life care standards in the UK. NICE states that everyone who needs it should have access to high-quality, timely, and compassionate individual care and support, including advance care planning.

For more details and guidance on end of life care please visit the NICE website. 

The importance of end of life and palliative care

When a loved one is diagnosed with a very serious illness, it is usually a distressing and overwhelming time for all involved. It is crucial that palliative and end of life care in nursing homes is given with compassion and professional expertise. 

Our team of experienced and knowledgeable palliative care nurses are always on hand to answer any questions you or your loved one may have, as well as offer guidance and advice as you go through this challenging time. We find that discussing and agreeing a detailed care plan takes the burden of responsibility away from loved ones and provides some comfort to the family. 

End of life and palliative care services at Willow Grange

We know how distressing it can be when a loved family member is affected by a terminal illness. Here at Willow Grange, we understand that if your loved one needs palliative nursing it can be upsetting and overwhelming for all involved. 

Our specialist palliative care team is experienced in providing compassionate and dignified care in our comfortable and homely environment. Rest assured, we are here to make sure that your loved one receives the care, attention, and support that they need and deserve. 

Our nursing team can administer pain relief and other medication, and we also cook nutritious meals and offer companionship. Our knowledgeable palliative care team brings much-needed consistency and peace of mind at a difficult time.

Along with our outstanding end-of-life care, our palliative care team is also here to provide emotional support and comfort to the families and loved ones of our residents. Please click to find out more about our specialist palliative care services.

Willow Grange: quality care at a home-away-from-home

At Willow Grange, we consider our residents to be a part of the family, and we strive to create a homely, welcoming atmosphere for our residents and their families and other visitors.

As well as providing specialist end of life and palliative care, we also offer: 

To find out more about Willow Grange, or to make an appointment to visit our Surbiton care home, please get in touch with us today on 020 8399 8948. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Our Specialist Palliative Care Team also Supports Families 

As elderly palliative care providers, we understand that if your loved one needs palliative nursing it can be a distressing and overwhelming time for the whole family.

Our experienced and knowledgeable nurses are experts in palliative care for elderly residents. As part of their outstanding care, our nurses also offer emotional support and consistency to families during this difficult time. They will provide you with peace of mind and support so that you and your family can make the most of your time together.

Trusted Palliative Care for Elderly Patients

When your loved one moves to Willow Grange, they become a part of our family. You have our assurance that they will be treated with care and dignity, in our homely environment. 

We are proud to provide high quality support and care to our elderly residents, whatever their needs. Please click to read more about our specialist palliative care services.  As well as palliative care, we also offer: 

To discover more about our Surbiton care home, or to book a visit to Willow Grange, please get in touch with us today on 020 8399 8948.