The Importance of a Holistic Approach to End of Life Care
Making sure someone receives the best care possible when reaching the end of their life is a huge responsibility. End of life care offers dedicated support that means your loved one can remain independent for as long as possible, whilst still receiving the help they need. At Ashridge Home Care, our palliative carers place dignity and empathy above all else to ensure your loved one and family have everything needed during this challenging time. We’re regulated by the Care Quality Commission, so you can be confident that your family is receiving the highest possible quality of care in their final days.
What is holistic care?
Holistic care places the emphasis on treating and caring for an individual, rather than their illness. It aims to meet all physical, mental, spiritual and social needs, with an understanding that these contribute to overall health and wellbeing. By addressing all of their needs, holistic care aims to improve the overall quality of life. Our carers take the time to get to know your loved one and your family, so that they can provide care that meets their complex physical needs, such as assisting with medication and pain management, whilst also becoming a much-trusted companion to your family during your loved one’s final weeks and months.
How are the different focus areas of holistic care addressed?
Holistic care offers an encompassing approach that treats the person, not the illness, these defined needs help to ensure that your loved one is supported across all facets of their life.
Physical needs
With holistic care, physical needs remain a crucial part of the care of your loved one. Outside of managing pain and making them comfortable, holistic care aims to address, treat and manage physical symptoms to improve your loved one’s quality of life. Carers can support physical needs by helping with taking medications, managing diet and exercise, or assisting with physical therapy. Often, carers who take a holistic approach will provide treatments that benefit psychological wellbeing by proxy. Holistic end of life care can also include therapeutic treatments designed to reduce stress and manage pain.
Emotional needs
A holistic approach prioritises addressing the emotional needs of those close to you. Psychological issues such as depression and anxiety can worsen physical symptoms, so ensuring that emotional needs are met not only contributes to the emotional wellbeing but also the overall health and happiness of surrounding family members. It’s worth noting that people in good mental health are more likely to react to physical needs and symptoms.
Holistic care meets the emotional needs not only for the happiness and comfort of your loved one, but also to ensure that they continue to flag pain and new symptoms. In end of life care, this approach takes on even more importance. Carers focus on emotional needs to help patients stay mentally and physically resilient for as long as possible. It’s about creating a supportive environment that nurtures both mind and body, right up to the end.
Social needs
When people feel isolated they can often withdraw, which impacts their ability to complete basic daily tasks like eating and sleeping. Carers help to meet social needs by organising social activities, like visits from relatives and friends, or trips out where possible.
Why is a holistic approach to end of life care so important?
A holistic approach to end of life care is designed to ensure that your loved one feels supported and loved during the last weeks of their life. It recognises that each patient is a unique individual with complex physical, emotional, and social needs. This holistic support ensures your loved one feels cared for and valued in their final weeks, while also providing comfort to the surrounding family during this challenging time. Dedicated carers take on daily care needs, freeing you to focus on quality time and meaningful moments with your loved one..
How do Ashridge Home Care offer a holistic approach to palliative care?
At Ashridge Home Care, we know that living with a terminal diagnosis is extremely difficult for everyone involved. That’s why our live-in palliative care options strive to help your loved one maintain their independence for as long as possible within the home they love and cherish. Our care plans are tailored to their specific needs, so that you can look at making memories as a family without having to worry about housekeeping or doctors appointments. We offer a variety of palliative care services, including 24 hour live-in care and specialist care for those who require support for a specific illness.
We understand that everyone’s care journey is different, so our dedicated care managers can help you to make sure your family member receives the highest level of care. Find out more about our palliative live-in home care, or reach out to our friendly team today for advice and guidance on how we can support your loved one’s needs.