Care services

End-of-life care at home in Leeds

Many people say they would like to die at home. Live-in care can make that possible, with someone present day and night to keep the person comfortable and to support the family through a very hard time.

Our carers are there for the everyday comfort - washing, turning, mouth care, sitting with someone - while doctors and nurses look after the clinical side.

0113 547 2829

A carer gently holding the hand of an older person resting in bed

Could end-of-life care help?

It's often a good fit when:

Your relative has a life-limiting illness and wants to stay at home
They're coming home from hospital or a hospice for their final weeks
The family wants to be with them without carrying everything alone

What your carer helps with

Personal care and keeping the person clean and comfortable
Regular repositioning and pressure-area care as advised by nurses
Small meals, sips of drinks and mouth care
Being present overnight so the family can sleep
Calling the nursing team when something changes

What a day can look like

Throughout
Gentle care at the person's pace, with plenty of rest.
Visits
District nurses and the GP call; the carer passes on what they've noticed.
With family
Space for family time, with the carer nearby rather than in the way.
Overnight
Someone awake to the person's needs, so nobody is alone at night.

Every day is planned around the person - this is only an example.

Working with Leeds hospices and nurses

In Leeds, St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown and Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley support people at home as well as on their wards, alongside district nurses from Leeds Community Healthcare. Your carer works within the plan those teams set, including any anticipatory medicines they prescribe.

Arranging care quickly

Time often matters at this stage. Ring us as soon as you know care is needed and we'll aim to have a suitable carer with you within days. If the person may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare fast-track funding, the hospital or nursing team can apply on their behalf.

Questions about end-of-life care

No. Injections and syringe drivers are managed by district nurses or hospice nurses. Our carers handle personal care and comfort, and tell the nurses when symptoms change.

People with a rapidly deteriorating condition who may be entering the last phase of life can be assessed for fast-track NHS Continuing Healthcare, which funds care in full. A doctor or nurse completes the application.