Our Palliative Care
Comfort, support and care centred around what matters most
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialist support for people living with serious, life-limiting or long-term health conditions. Its focus is on helping individuals live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible by managing symptoms, supporting wellbeing and improving quality of life.
While many people associate palliative care with end-of-life care, the two are not the same. Palliative care can be introduced at any stage of a serious illness and may be provided for months or even years alongside other treatments and therapies. Understanding the difference between palliative and end of life care can help families make more informed decisions about the support available.
At Westcott, we believe palliative care should be about much more than managing symptoms. It’s about understanding the person behind the condition, preserving comfort, maintaining meaningful relationships and helping individuals continue living life in a way that feels right for them. For some, that’s enjoying breakfast in bed. For others, it’s spending time in the garden, or simply having family nearby.
Who may benefit from Palliative Care?
Every person’s circumstances are different, but palliative care can provide valuable support for people living with a wide range of conditions and care needs.
Someone Living With An Advanced Long-Term Condition
People living with progressive conditions such as heart failure, chronic respiratory disease or neurological conditions may benefit from support that helps manage symptoms and enables them to live life to its fullest.
Someone Living With Advanced Dementia
As dementia progresses, individuals may experience increasingly complex physical, emotional and care needs. Dementia and end of life care often requires a personalised approach that focuses on comfort, reassurance and spending time in meaningful ways.
Someone Receiving Treatment For A Serious Illness
Palliative care can work alongside medical treatments, helping individuals manage symptoms, maintain wellbeing and continue enjoying the things that matter most to them, whether that’s seeing grandchildren or playing game-after-game of checkers.
Someone Experiencing Increasing Pain Or Discomfort
When symptoms begin to affect everyday life, palliative care can help ensure comfort remains a priority through tailored support and symptom management. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Someone Living With A Life-Limiting Diagnosis
A life-limiting diagnosis can bring uncertainty for both the individual and those closest to them. Palliative care provides support, reassurance and practical guidance as needs change over time.
Someone With Complex Physical Or Healthcare Needs
Individuals whose health conditions require ongoing monitoring and specialist support may benefit from the coordinated approach palliative care provides.
Someone Approaching The Final Stages Of Life
For people nearing the end of life, palliative care focuses on comfort, symptom management and helping individuals spend time in the way that feels right for them, surrounded by the people and things they love.This form of end of life care in care homes can provide reassurance for both residents and their families.
Support when you need it most
Exploring palliative care can bring a lot of questions, both practical and emotional. Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to changing circumstances, our team is here to help you understand your options, talk through your concerns and find the support that’s right for you and your family.
1
Start by sharing your story
Tell us about your situation, what’s important to you and the support you’re currently receiving. We’ll take the time to listen and help you understand what palliative care could look like for your circumstances.
2
Spend time getting to know us
Visit one of our homes, meet the people who live and work there, and experience the environment for yourself. It’s an opportunity to see how comfort, compassion and personalised support come together in everyday life.
3
Talk with the people providing the care
Meet the team who could be supporting you or your loved one. We’ll answer your questions, explain how care is delivered and discuss how we can help honour individual wishes, preferences and priorities.
4
Move forward in the way that feels right
If you decide palliative care is the right next step, we’ll help guide you through the process at a pace that feels comfortable. From practical arrangements to emotional support, we’ll be there to help make the transition as reassuring as possible.
The people, values, and care that bring us together
Every Westcott home is shaped by the same belief: that great care starts with understanding the individual. Discover how our homes combine compassion, expertise and care built around the individual across residential, nursing and palliative care in nursing homes.
REVIEWS
Reflections from families we've supported
When someone you love is receiving palliative care, feeling supported can make all the difference. These are the experiences of residents and families who found comfort, understanding and reassurance at a Westcott palliative care home. Read their stories and discover how compassionate support, meaningful relationships and a personalised approach helped them navigate an important chapter in life.
“My dad was admitted from hospital must be 8 years ago now and the staff couldn’t do enough for him. They took proper care of him, better than the hospital. The first day there, myself and the family arrived a couple hours later, 3 adults and a few kids and they welcomed us, made us all some tea and ice lollies for the kids after tea. The care and love they had for him was amazing. They also made a little buffet and a cake for him for his 65th birthday and we had it in the TV room on the 3rd floor. I will never be able to thank them enough.”
Jacqui N
Family member
“I cannot say enough about the care all the staff gave to my partner during his stay in the home. He was only there for ten week weeks before he passed away, he was looked after with such passion. The staff always had a smile on their faces when we went to visit, they are all angels we couldn’t have picked a better nursing home for my partner to spend his last days, and I will be forever grateful.”
Angela H
Family member
Mum’s short experience, due to failing health, meant within two weeks of arriving she was moved to end-of-life care, Mum chose to refuse medical support. I can’t express in words what considerate, caring and truly professional the whole team were in their dealings with us and obviously with Mum. We had 100% confidence in the whole team and would wholeheartedly recommend.
Helen K
Family member
Confidence in the care you choose
When it comes to palliative care, trust is incredibly important. Independent organisations such as the Care Quality Commission and Care England help ensure the care we provide is safe, effective and centred around the needs of each individual, giving residents and families confidence in the support they receive when it matters most.
A conversation can make things feel clearer
When you’re exploring palliative care, it’s natural to have questions, concerns and difficult decisions to consider. Our Care Navigation team is here to provide a listening ear, offer practical guidance and help you understand the support available. Whatever your circumstances, we’ll help you explore the options at your own pace, so you can make informed decisions with confidence and reassurance.
When you’re navigating serious illness, changing care needs or difficult decisions, having access to clear and trustworthy information can make all the difference. Explore our guides, articles and resources covering all aspects of care, including palliative care, to help you feel informed, supported and better prepared for whatever lies ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is palliative care end-of-life care?
One of the most common questions families ask is ‘is palliative care end of life care?’ Understanding the difference between palliative and end of life care is important because palliative care can begin much earlier in a person’s illness, and may be provided for months or even years. The aim is to support comfort, and allow individuals to feel like themselves throughout their personal journey, not only during their final days.
What does end-of-life care mean?
If you’ve been wondering ‘what does end of life care mean,’ it’s the support provided to people who are thought to be approaching the final stages of life. The focus is on comfort, symptom management, emotional wellbeing and ensuring an individual’s wishes and preferences remain at the heart of their care.
How long does palliative care last?
Some families also ask ‘how long can you live with palliative care,’ but there is no fixed answer because support is based on individual needs rather than a set timeframe. Some people receive palliative care for a short period, while others may benefit from it for months or years. The length of support depends entirely on the individual’s condition, needs and circumstances.
What’s the difference between a care home and a hospice?
Both care homes and hospices can provide palliative care, but they often serve different purposes. Hospices typically specialise in palliative and end-of-life care, while care homes may provide palliative care alongside residential, nursing or dementia care. Many people choose a care home because it offers ongoing support within a familiar, homely environment where relationships can develop over time.
Can you only receive palliative care in a care home?
No. Palliative care can be provided in a variety of settings, including a person’s own home, hospitals, hospices and care homes. The most appropriate setting will depend on the individual’s needs, preferences and circumstances.
Does receiving palliative care mean treatment has stopped?
No. Palliative care can be provided alongside medical treatments, therapies and other forms of support. Its purpose is to help manage symptoms, and improve comfort and wellbeing, regardless of what other treatments someone may be receiving.
How are families supported through palliative care?
Palliative care recognises that serious illness affects more than just the individual receiving support. Families and loved ones can benefit from guidance, reassurance, emotional support and help navigating decisions as circumstances change.
When should palliative care begin?
There is no single point at which palliative care should start. In many cases, people benefit from palliative support much earlier than they expect, often alongside other treatments and therapies. Introducing palliative care sooner can help improve comfort, manage symptoms and provide valuable support for both the individual and those closest to them.
Can palliative care improve quality of life?
Yes. One of the main goals of palliative care is to help people live as comfortably and fully as possible, regardless of their diagnosis or prognosis. By managing symptoms, providing emotional support and focusing on what matters most to the individual, palliative care can help people maintain independence, continue meaningful relationships and enjoy a better quality of life for longer.
What are some common words, phrases and terminology I may hear when researching palliative care, and what do they mean?
The language used around palliative care can sometimes feel unfamiliar, particularly when you’re supporting someone you love. Here are some common terms you may come across:
Palliative Care: Specialist support focused on comfort, wellbeing and quality of life for people living with serious or life-limiting conditions.
End-of-Life Care: Support provided during the final stages of life, focusing on comfort, dignity, symptom management and emotional wellbeing.
Hospice Care: Specialist care provided by a hospice, often for people with complex palliative or end-of-life care needs.
Life-Limiting Condition: A condition that cannot currently be cured and is expected to affect a person’s lifespan.
Advance Care Planning: Conversations and decisions about an individual’s wishes, preferences and priorities for future care.
Symptom Management: Support aimed at reducing discomfort caused by symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, nausea or fatigue.
Pain Management: The assessment and treatment of pain to help improve comfort and quality of life.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): A group of healthcare professionals from different specialisms working together to coordinate care.
Care Plan: A personalised document outlining how an individual’s care, support and wellbeing needs will be met.
Bereavement Support: Emotional and practical support available to family members and loved ones following a death.
Care Navigation: Guidance and support that helps individuals and families understand their options and find the care that’s right for their circumstances.
Palliative Care vs End-of-Life Care: While these terms are often used interchangeably, palliative care vs end of life care is an important distinction. Palliative care can begin at any stage.