When considering palliative care, one of the most important questions families ask is whether they have to pay for it and how much it costs. While palliative care is well known for its physical and emotional support for people who need it most, finding accurate information about its costs can be tricky.
Today, we’ll explore what palliative care is and how much it may cost, depending on the level of support you need. We’ll also offer advice on how to get funding help.
Quick Answer: How Much Does Palliative Care Cost?
The cost of palliative care varies depending on the type and level of support you or a loved one needs. In the UK, visiting care typically costs between £30 and £80 per visit, live-in palliative care generally ranges from £1,000 to £1,800 per week, and residential care can cost between £700 and £2,000 per week.
Some palliative care services may be funded by the NHS, local authority or charitable hospices, depending on individual circumstances and eligibility.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a type of support for anyone living with a complex condition or terminal illness that stops them from completing activities of daily living by themselves. Rather than focusing on finding a cure for your condition, palliative care aims to provide relief from symptoms and stress surrounding your illness.
Palliative care can be offered by a specialised team of doctors, nurses, social workers, carers and other healthcare professionals. These specialists work together to provide extra support in any way you may need, focusing on you rather than your prognosis.
This type of care is often considered interchangeable with end-of-life care, but this isn’t always the case. You can choose to have palliative care at any stage of your illness, and you can benefit from it alongside other curative or management treatments.
The Cost of Live-In Palliative Care
Live-in home care involves a professionally trained carer living with you in your home, providing full-time support whenever you need it. The costs of live-in care depend on several factors, such as the services you require, how comprehensive your care needs are, and how long your palliative care will last.
Many people who need palliative care for advanced illnesses benefit from live-in support, as it provides round-the-clock care, including personal care, medication management, light housekeeping, cooking and companionship. Generally, live-in care costs between £1,000 and £1,800 a week.
At Trinity Homecare, we use a CareMatch Program to carefully select the ideal carer for you, depending on your personality and lifestyle. This will hopefully help you develop a personal bond. We’ll work within your budget to find you the best possible live-in palliative care.
What About Visiting Palliative Care?
The cost of visiting home care depends on how many visits you need each week and how long each visit will be. Someone who needs one or two visits a day, seven days a week, will require a higher budget than someone who needs a couple of quick visits a week. On average, visiting care costs between £30 and £80 per visit, and call-out fees may apply.
Visiting care costs less than live-in care, so it’s often better for more modest budgets. Palliative care can be offered by a visiting carer, but the support you receive may not be as comprehensive. It’s best for people whose symptoms are still well managed and who can get around the house without help to cook and get to the bathroom.
At Trinity Homecare, we pride ourselves on working to meet our clients’ every need, which includes their budget. We’ll take your budget and give you several options for how we can stretch it to fit your needs. For example, we may be able to offer you a short visit in the morning or afternoon, as well as a longer visit during off-peak times throughout the day. This gives you more time with your carer without requiring a higher budget.
The Cost of Palliative Care in a Care Home
Many residential and nursing homes offer palliative care services, but these will require you to move out of your house and into new, unfamiliar surroundings. Staff within the care home will be able to offer round-the-clock care, manage pain symptoms, support you with daily tasks and keep you comfortable.
Care homes generally cost between £700 and £2,000 a week, although this can change depending on the complexity of your illness and care requirements.
Care homes are often more expensive than home care, especially when you don’t need as much comprehensive care between mealtimes and through the night. The extra cost often stems from the requirement of accommodation, where you’re essentially renting a room on top of paying for 24/7 care. With home care, you don’t need to worry about paying for another living space.
Can I Get Palliative Care for Free?
It’s possible to receive palliative care for free through hospice care, although not everyone is eligible. This type of care is offered in a hospice or hospital setting, which can be distressing for some people.
Hospice isn’t always suitable for long-term care. It may be a better option for people who only need short periods of inpatient care or nursing before going home, or those who require end-of-life care.
Some hospices offer outpatient palliative care, including psychological support and occupational therapy. To learn more about free hospice care and whether you’re eligible, speak to your GP. Trinity also offers hospice care at home, and we’d be more than happy to talk you through your options.
How Can Trinity Homecare Help?
Trinity Homecare prides itself on always putting its clients and their families first. We’ll work with you to find the most comprehensive care to meet your needs, no matter your budget. We’ll assess your requirements, symptoms and support system to make sure you’re only paying for the support you need, stretching your budget as much as possible to keep stress levels down and confidence up.
No matter the price of your plan, the quality of care we provide won’t change.
This includes:
- One-to-one support at home
- Completely bespoke live-in care that has been tailored to you
- Specialist care for a number of different circumstances
- Home carers carefully matched to your needs
- CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services
Our pricing plans are tailored to your individual needs, so speak to one of our friendly advisors today to receive a personalised quote. Palliative care with Trinity focuses on upholding independence and dignity for as long as possible, keeping you in control as you navigate this new season of life.
Talk to Us Today
At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This allows you to live the independent lifestyle that you love without the daunting thought of moving into a care home. We are here to support you with various forms of live-in care.
Call us now on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free, no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.
