“This is a proactive multi-disciplinary team with clinical, practical and social work skills. We seek to achieve a holistic approach to end-of-life care for care home residents and their families,”
“The team can make sure the right information and solutions are in place. For example, a resident losing the ability to swallow safely, we will ensure that alternative routes of medication are prescribed to support management of that person’s symptoms, such as pain,”
Tracy Jackson, Head of Dementia & Frailty Care Home Teams.
The team visit residential and nursing homes to assist with Advance Care Planning (ACP) conversations to ensure that residents’ wishes are discussed with them and their loved ones. This, along with their expertise in palliative care, helps them to pre-empt and prevent issues that may result in unnecessary hospital admissions, via completion of documented treatment escalation plans.
In line with the Hospice’s ethos, the team’s assistance extends to residents’ carers, families and loved ones. They provide practical and emotional advice and support for different situations, such as when a person is first being admitted into a care home and facing changes in their levels of independence.
For care home staff, the Frailty Care Home Team delivers training designed around their needs. We have created an education programme (Care Home ECHO) which is delivered as a blend of face-to-face and interactive virtual training sessions. The content of the course has been developed in conjunction with our local care homes to ensure the training meets all their needs.