Supporting good end-of-life

Care homes are complex systems where people are both living and dying. Many are also experiencing multiple losses.

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There is a need to develop a culture of relationship-centred care, with the emphasis on personal need and dignity, through which residents, relatives and staff are supported. Encouraging an open approach to the awareness of dying is a key cultural shift – not just in care homes but in society.

‘Death is such a taboo subject. It’s a big problem because all of us are so near to death. By 90 you can’t get much nearer without knowing that it is around the corner, and we need to be able to express that sometimes if we want.’

A ‘good death’

It can be difficult to predict when someone will die, so promoting good end-of-life care should be integral to quality care in care homes. Practices and interventions rooted in palliative care, and support from specialist palliative services, are helpful. Existing standards, frameworks and tools can help support good palliative care.

Ongoing support

It is important that staff, family and other residents receive continuing support following a death. Opportunities to discuss their feelings and to ‘say goodbye’ can occur at the funeral or memorial service or through remembrance events.

Resources on this theme

Issue 6 Care Home Staff Bulletin: Supporting good end of life(PDF, 544k)
Supporting good end of life poster (PDF, 247k)

Supporting good end-of-life (PDF, 76k)

This document contains a short summary of a research review undertaken as part of the My Home Life programme. The full literature review, including research references, further tools and examples of ‘best practice’, is available in Resources.