Lucy Pilliner, Business Manager, describes – What is an end-of-life plan? Why is it important? and how Katherine Harriet support clients and families through this.
What is an end-of-life plan?
End-of-life planning refers to the steps a person takes to get their affairs in order and determine how they want to spend their last days. Also known as advance care planning, it typically involves a person completing a living will, and a last will and testament.
Effective end of life care improves the quality of life of the dying person and those important to them. It is achieved by early identification, assessment and treatment of pain and other distressing symptoms, while integrating the psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of the person’s care.
End-of-life planning offers several positive outcomes for clients and their families. First and foremost, it offers peace of mind. By making decisions in advance, client concerns are alleviated regarding many of the “who, what, where, and when” questions that often come with dying.
Along with many professionals involved, Katherine Harriet supports to maintain the person’s decisions and rights through what is known as Advance Care Planning, as this allows the person to have more choice and control over what happens to them. By doing this it supports the quality of the end-of-life care and ensures that the treatment is what they want, rather than what they don’t want at end of life.
What is Katherine Harriet’s process
- An assessment of care is booked in at a time that suits the client, family and professionals involved
- A personable and dignified assessment takes place which will outline the care required, any equipment being used, any medication that needs to be administered, and preferred methods of care that the client wishes.
- Highly trained staff are introduced to the calls and care takes place at times relevant to the care needed.
- Our Registered Manager, Rebecca Tilby and Client Care Advisor, Kirsty Smith ensure that all information is provided in the home, communicated with our wellbeing assistance and good communications are upheld with the families on a weekly basis.
- Our assessments are reviewed as and when any part of the care package changes.
Katherine Harriet supports, maintains, and encourages the 5 main focus points – this is a priority for us, so we are able to recognise that someone is at the end of life. Communicating sensitively with the client and their family with support from other professionals; involving them in decisions; supporting them and their family; and creating an individual plan of care that includes adequate nutrition and hydration. Katherine Harriet works in collaboration with GP’s, Hospice Nurses, and District Nurses to be able to support each person’s individual needs by providing the best care and treatment.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to talk to us further about you or a loved one going through end of life and would like support from our trained Wellbeing assistants, then please give us a call on 01432 483083, visit us at 9 Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9AP
