Compassionate presence when it matters most.
Service
Palliative and End of Life Care at Home
Palliative and end of life care at home is about comfort, dignity, continuity and support for the whole family. Horizons Homecare provides sensitive, personalised care for adults aged 18+, helping people remain in familiar surroundings with the right practical and emotional support around them. Care can be arranged as visiting care or [INTERNAL LINK: Live-in care at home], depending on what feels right for the person, their needs and the people closest to them.
Compassionate care centred on comfort, dignity and familiar surroundings
Continuity of carers who already know the person and family
Joined-up support working alongside GPs, nurses and hospice teams
Trusted care in action
Real care settings, consistent carers, and practical support families can rely on.
Families stay informed with clear, regular updates.
Same carers, every visit - familiarity builds real trust.
Who is this for?
Is this service right for you?
This service is for adults aged 18+ who are living with a terminal or life-limiting illness and need support at home.
Common situations
- Families wanting to remain family first while care is handled by trusted carers
- People already with Horizons Homecare who need continuity through end of life
- Families looking for joined-up support alongside GPs, nurses and hospice teams
What's included
What this service covers
Personal care services
Medication assistance at home
Comfort and dignity support
Meal and drink preparation
Home help services
Companionship care at home
Sitting service so family members can rest
Trips, outings and appointments
Emotional reassurance and support
Running errands for the family
How we deliver
How this service works
1
Get in touch
We talk with you about what is happening, what support may help and what matters most to the person and family.
2
Free care assessment
We arrange a no obligation home assessment to understand the person's wishes, needs and routine.
3
Meet your care team
Where possible we introduce the care team in advance so care feels familiar and less overwhelming.
4
Ongoing review
Support is flexible and reviewed regularly so care stays closely matched to the person's changing comfort and needs.
Ready to discuss Palliative and End of Life Care at Home?
Book a free, no-obligation care assessment today.
What is palliative and end of life care at home?
Palliative care and end of life care are closely connected, but they are not always exactly the same. Palliative care can begin earlier, after a terminal or life-limiting diagnosis, and may run alongside treatment. End of life care is the part of palliative care given when a person is approaching the end of life. Both can be provided at home. At home, this kind of care focuses on comfort, dignity, symptom support, emotional reassurance and helping life feel as calm and supported as possible in a familiar environment. For some people, support is needed for a shorter period. For others, it becomes part of a longer journey where care gradually increases as needs change. The right support depends on the person, their condition, their wishes, and what matters most to them and their family.
Working alongside GPs, district nurses, hospice teams and other professionals
Good palliative and end of life care at home is rarely provided by one person or one service alone. In England, end of life care at home may involve your GP, community nurses, district nurses and specialist community palliative care nurses. Horizons Homecare works alongside the wider professionals involved in care so support at home feels joined up rather than fragmented. That can include sharing agreed information, helping families keep track of what is happening, supporting routines between professional visits, and making sure the person is cared for in a way that reflects their wishes and needs. For families, that joined-up approach can make a difficult time feel less overwhelming.
Why continuity matters so much at this stage
Palliative and end of life care is deeply personal. Familiar carers can make this time feel more comfortable and less unsettling for both the person receiving care and the people around them. Horizons Homecare is built around continuity of care. Our approach is simple: Same carers. On time, every time. When carers already know the person, they are better placed to support them sensitively, notice changes, and provide care in a way that feels calm, respectful and consistent. This also matters for family members. Repeating the same information to new faces during an already emotional time can be exhausting. Continuity reduces that strain and helps care feel steadier.
Support for families as well as the person receiving care
This stage of life affects the whole family, not just the individual who is ill. Families often need emotional support, practical help and reassurance as much as hands-on care. Caring for someone at home near the end of life can involve personal care, medication, symptom support, coordinating visits from professionals, life admin, and simply being present through very difficult moments. That is why many people ask for help. Not because they do not want to be involved, but because they do. Good home care can ease pressure, create breathing space, and allow families to focus on time together rather than feeling swallowed up by tasks and responsibilities.
Visiting care or live-in care
Palliative and end of life care does not only fit into one model of support. Some people need visiting care at set times during the day. Others need more continuous support, especially as needs become more intensive or family members need more overnight reassurance. Horizons Homecare provides both visiting care and live-in care services. The routine is shaped around the individual, not forced into a fixed template. A person may begin with visits and later move to Live-in care at home if that becomes the better fit for comfort, continuity and peace of mind. The focus is always on building support around how the person wants to live, and how their family wants to support them.
Important to know
Palliative and end of life care at home can work alongside GP, district nursing and hospice support, and many people are able to remain at home if that is their wish. The NHS advises that end of life and hospice care can be provided at home, depending on what is available locally. Needs can change quickly at this stage. Good care should be flexible, responsive and shaped around the person's comfort, dignity and wishes.
FAQs
Common questions
What is the difference between palliative care and end of life care?+
Palliative care is broader and can begin earlier, after a terminal or life-limiting diagnosis, often alongside treatment. End of life care is the part of palliative care given when a person is approaching the end of life. Both can be provided at home.
Can end of life care be provided at home?+
Yes. The NHS says end of life and hospice care can be provided at home, and your GP can help arrange community nursing and other local support.
What can home carers help with during palliative care?+
Support can include comfort, dignity, Personal care services, Medication assistance at home, meal and drink support where appropriate, emotional reassurance, errands for the family, day-to-day practical help, and working alongside other professionals involved in care.
Will we still be involved as a family?+
Absolutely. Good care should support the family, not replace them. Many families want help so they can spend more meaningful time together and remain family first, while the care team helps with the practical and caring responsibilities.
Can palliative care start before the final days of life?+
Yes. Palliative care can begin much earlier in a person's illness and may be provided alongside treatments aimed at controlling the condition.
Can support increase if needs become more intensive?+
Yes. Someone may begin with visiting care and later move to Live-in care at home if their needs change or if more continuous support would help them remain comfortable and well supported at home.
Who might be involved in care at home apart from Horizons?+
Depending on the person's needs, care at home may also involve the GP, district nurses, community nurses, hospice teams or specialist palliative care nurses. Good support should feel joined up across the people involved.
Will we see the same carers?+
Continuity is one of the things Horizons Homecare is known for. We aim to send the same carers where possible so the person receiving support and their family can build trust and familiarity with the care team.
Why Horizons
Why choose Horizons for this service
Continuity of care
Same familiar carers, on time, every time.
CQC regulated
Professionally regulated care with highly trained staff.
24/7 support
Emergency on-call line outside office hours.
Related services
You might also need
Personal Care at Home
CQC regulated personal care at home delivered with dignity and respect, helping adults with washing, dressing, toileting and personal hygiene.
View service →Medication Assistance and Support at Home
Tailored medication assistance at home for adults aged 18+, from simple reminders through to full administration, with trained carers and accurate records every visit.
View service →Home Help Services at Home
Flexible home help services for adults aged 18+, including cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, shopping and errands to keep daily life manageable and independent.
View service →Advice centre
Helpful guides
Planning
Writing a Care Plan That Reflects What Matters to You
A good care plan is much more than a task list. It is a document that reflects a person's values, preferences, and what makes life meaningful to them. This guide shows families how to write a care plan that genuinely supports wellbeing.
Family SupportWhen Care Needs Change Quickly: What Families Need to Know
A fall, hospital stay, or sudden illness can transform your relative's care needs overnight. Discover how to respond calmly, access emergency support quickly, and work with care providers to protect continuity during sudden changes.
Real Stories
Client stories and family confidence
Consistent support and clear communication help families feel reassured from the first visit.
Families feel reassured from the very first meeting.
The same carer, every visit - routines that feel like home.
Personal care delivered with patience, dignity and respect.
"Our care team feels like an extension of our family. They are reliable, kind, and always keep us updated."Family member, Lancashire
Ready to discuss palliative and end of life care at home?
Our team can explain options and recommend a plan based on your situation - with no obligation.