What is an end of life care plan?

About care homes

At Care UK, we believe every person should receive fully personalised, dignified end of life care.

Our colleagues are trained to provide sensitive care for those nearing the end of their life – and their families – and care plans are an important part of this.

Why are end of life care plans important?

We know that it can be a very difficult time for loved ones when a person is approaching the end of their life. Many of our care homes provide sensitive end of life care, including palliative care. Our teams work with you and your loved one, as well as local health professionals and hospices, to ensure every aspect of care your loved one receives in their last days is tailored to their needs and wishes.

To do this, we'll have discussions around your loved one’s end of life care plan. These conversations, called advance care planning, can be difficult, but they are essential to ensure your relative or friend receives the best possible care and support.

Creating personalised end of life care plans

Many of our care homes have achieved or are working towards the Gold Standards Framework for End of Life Care, which means they offer the highest standards of care to people at the end of their life.

The three aims of the Gold Standards Framework are to:

1. Improve the quality of care provided for all individuals, particularly those nearing the end of life.

2. Improve collaboration among GPs, primary care teams, care homes and other specialists.

3. Reduce hospital admissions in the final stage of life, enabling more people to die with dignity in their care home if that is their wish.

Undergoing this training provides care home teams with knowledge and skills around best practice for tailoring care and support to residents’ unique day-to-day needs, as well as working closely with residents and their families to think ahead and discuss the pathways available through advance care planning. We’ll schedule regular care planning meetings so we understand residents’ wishes for their final days and hours,

Using the agreed end of life care plan, as well as considering dignity of care, spirituality and other means to improve the quality of care given at a resident’s end of life, we’ll ensure residents’ final days are as stress-free and comfortable as possible.

What does a care plan include?

Care plans set out the type of care and support a person needs. They are regularly reviewed to ensure your loved one is always has the opportunity to make decisions about their care Read more about care plans.

When your loved one approaches their final days, their care plan will incorporate any advance care planning they have arranged, which will include their wishes around the pain relief they receive, treatments they don’t want to have and who is granted power of attorney to make decisions for them. End of life care plans can also include information about where they would like to receive care, religious needs, who they would like present and whether they want any special music playing or a special drink.

Questions to consider for an end of life care plan:

What support can you get for different symptoms (pain, breathlessness, confusion, etc.)?
Are there any treatments you would like to refuse?
Who do you want with you at the end of your life?
Where would you like to die?
What happens if you can no longer make decisions about your care?

We’re passionate about supporting families whose loved ones are receiving end of life care, too. When the time comes, we’ll provide all you need stay with your loved one and focus on them. Many of our homes will offer practical and emotional support for families after a loved one’s death, too. Get in touch with your local care home to find out more.

What are the 5 priorities of end of life care?

As set out by the NHS, there are five important priorities to think about concerning the care and support people receive in the last days and hours of their life.

These include:

A doctor should see you regularly, and if they believe you are very close to the end of your life they must communicate this with you and the people close to you.
Team members involved in your loved one’s care should talk sensitively and honestly with them and their close family and friends.
Your loved one and the people close to them should be involved in decisions about their care and treatment.
The needs of family and friends should be met and respected.
A tailored, person-centred care plan should be agreed and delivered.

At Care UK care homes, our dedicated teams provide compassionate end of life care that’s tailored to individuals’ needs and wishes.

Find out more about end of life care at Care UK.