You can receive end of life care in a care home if you wish. In a care home, trained staff are available to look after you day and night. They can provide the same kind of care that family members can provide at home, such as help with washing, dressing and providing meals.
Some care homes provide skilled nursing care to residents when they need it. These are sometimes called nursing homes, and they are suitable for people who have a disability, a serious long-term condition or very restricted mobility.
Care homes can be run by:
- voluntary organisations
- private individuals
- private companies
- the local council
You can talk to your local social services department, GP or district nurse, palliative care team or your hospital doctor or nurse to find out what is available in your area. When considering a care home, you should ask if it is accredited by the NHS end of life Gold Standards Framework, which means that the home has specially trained staff and good links with local GPs.
Your care may involve the local hospital palliative care team, the local hospice team, your GP, community nurses and district nurses.
If you are relying on local authority funding, you will not be able to be cared for in a home that costs more than the authority is prepared to pay, unless you or your family can pay the difference. If you choose to receive care at home, in a care home or in a hospice you should be assessed for NHS continuing care.
Continuing care is professional care given to meet the physical or mental health needs of adults with a disability, injury or illness over an extended period of time. NHS continuing healthcare means a package of care that is arranged and funded by the NHS and is free of charge to the person receiving the care. This is sometimes called fully funded NHS care.
You can search for care homes in your area by using the Care Quality Commission care directory.
