Some issues to consider if older people with complex care needs choose to die at home

Some issues to consider if older people with complex care needs choose to die at home Peter Scourfield Working with Older People, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.- This viewpoint paper focuses on the important role played by hospices in the UK in providing specialised end-of-life care for older people with complex needs – particularly for the growing number who choose to die at home. With demand for such care growing, the paper highlights the funding issues facing the independent hospice sector and the implications for hospices of receiving more state funding. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the challenges that hospices in the UK face in providing home-based palliative and end of life care for older people.This a viewpoint paper informed by recent reports and research findings, as well as the author’s own work within the hospice sector.The demand for specialised community-based and home-based palliative and end-of-life care is growing. The Covid-19 pandemic prompted wider discussion about what constitutes both “a good death” and good end-of-life care. This confirmed that most older people would prefer to end their lives free from pain, in familiar surroundings and not in hospital.The specialised end-of-life care provided by hospices is rated highly by the regulator and the communities which they serve. In recent years, more attention has been given to providing “hospice at home” services, but coverage is limited largely due to lack of funding...
Source: Working with Older People - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: research