When is the Right Time to Introduce Palliative Care?

Palliative care is often misunderstood as something that only happens in the final days of life. In reality, it can benefit people at any stage of a serious illness, improving comfort and quality of life alongside other treatments. Knowing when to begin this type of care can make a significant difference for both the person who’s unwell and their family.

What Palliative Care Actually Means

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, managing pain, and supporting emotional and spiritual wellbeing when someone has a serious, life-limiting illness. It’s not the same as end-of-life care, though it often continues through to that stage.

The goal is to help someone live as comfortably and fully as possible, whatever time they have. This might mean managing pain from cancer, reducing breathlessness in heart disease, or providing support with the emotional impact of a progressive condition like dementia or motor neurone disease.

Importantly, palliative care works alongside curative treatment. Someone might receive chemotherapy to treat cancer whilst also having palliative support to manage side effects and maintain quality of life.

Key Indicators It Might Be Time

Several signs suggest palliative care could be beneficial:

Frequent Hospital Admissions

If someone is repeatedly admitted to hospital for symptom management or complications related to their condition, palliative care can help manage these symptoms at home or in a care setting, reducing the disruption and stress of hospital stays.

Uncontrolled Symptoms

Persistent pain, breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, or other symptoms that significantly affect daily life indicate a need for specialist symptom management. Palliative care teams are experts in finding the right combination of treatments to improve comfort.

Declining Function

When someone is struggling increasingly with everyday activities—washing, dressing, eating, or moving around—palliative care can provide practical support and equipment whilst also addressing the emotional impact of losing independence.

The Illness is Progressing

If doctors indicate that the condition is advancing despite treatment, or if curative options are becoming limited, introducing palliative care ensures the focus remains on quality of life rather than just treating the disease.

Emotional and Psychological Distress

Serious illness affects more than physical health. Anxiety, low mood, fear about the future, or feeling overwhelmed are all valid reasons to seek palliative support. These teams include counsellors, social workers, and chaplains who can help.

Family Carers Are Struggling

When family members are exhausted, anxious, or finding it difficult to manage care at home, palliative services can provide respite, practical support, and guidance. Caring for the carers is an essential part of palliative care.

Common Misconceptions

Many people hesitate to explore palliative care because of misunderstandings about what it means.

“It means giving up”

Palliative care isn’t about giving up—it’s about living well with illness. People can continue active treatment whilst receiving palliative support. It’s an additional layer of care, not a replacement for other treatments.

“It’s only for cancer”

Whilst cancer patients often receive palliative care, it benefits anyone with a serious, progressive condition. This includes heart disease, respiratory conditions, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, and many other illnesses.

“It’s only for the last few weeks”

Palliative care can be appropriate for months or even years. Starting earlier often leads to better outcomes, as symptoms are managed before they become severe and families have time to plan and adjust.

“It means going into a hospice”

Most palliative care happens at home or in care homes, not in hospices. Specialist nurses visit regularly, GPs coordinate care, and support is tailored to where the person wants to be.

How Palliative Care Improves Quality of Life

The benefits of timely palliative care are well-documented:

• Better symptom control, meaning less pain, breathlessness, nausea, or other discomfort
• Improved emotional wellbeing through counselling and psychological support
• Clearer communication with medical teams about wishes and preferences
• Reduced hospital admissions and more time spent in familiar, comfortable surroundings
• Support for family members, including bereavement care after a death
• Coordination between different healthcare providers to ensure consistent, person-centred care

Research consistently shows that people who receive palliative care earlier often live longer and report better quality of life than those who delay it.

Starting the Conversation

Raising the topic of palliative care can feel difficult, especially if you’re worried about upsetting someone or making them feel you’ve lost hope. However, most people appreciate honest, caring conversations about their care.

You might begin by saying something like: “I’ve been reading about ways to help manage your symptoms better. Would you be open to talking with the doctor about palliative care? It might help you feel more comfortable.”

Healthcare professionals should be willing to discuss palliative care options. If a GP or consultant hasn’t mentioned it but you think it could help, don’t hesitate to ask. Questions like “Would palliative care be appropriate at this stage?” or “What support is available to help manage these symptoms?” can open the discussion.

What Happens When You Begin

Once palliative care is agreed, a specialist nurse or team will assess the person’s needs. They’ll look at physical symptoms, emotional concerns, practical issues, and spiritual or existential questions the person may have.

A care plan is created collaboratively, focusing on what matters most to the individual. This might include pain management, help with daily activities, emotional support, advance care planning, or simply ensuring the person can continue doing things they enjoy.

The team works with existing healthcare providers—GPs, hospital consultants, district nurses—to coordinate care. Regular reviews ensure the support evolves as needs change.

Palliative Care in Care Homes

Care homes like Blissful Care Homes can provide palliative care with support from specialist community nurses. This allows people to receive end-of-life care in a familiar environment with staff who know them well, surrounded by comfort and routine.

Many care homes work closely with local palliative care teams and hospices to ensure residents receive expert symptom management without needing to move or be admitted to hospital. Our approach to care prioritises dignity, comfort, and respect for individual wishes throughout all stages of life.

Trust Your Instincts

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to consider palliative care, that question itself is often a sign that it could be helpful. Earlier is usually better than later—starting palliative support doesn’t mean death is imminent, but it does mean taking control of symptoms and focusing on what makes life meaningful and comfortable.

If you’d like to discuss how Blissful Care Homes can support palliative care needs, or if you have questions about the care we provide, please get in touch. We’re here to ensure everyone in our care receives the dignity, comfort, and support they deserve.