End of life care: why supporting family carers is vital

What is the video about?

Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice runs a family support service for the families and carers of people who are at the end of their lives. Social workers work with other staff members to identify families who are in need of support. They can offer a sitting service to enable carers to have some time away from their caring responsibilities and bereavement support and counselling to those who have lost a loved one. We hear from Benita who looks after her mother and has regular support from a sitter and Trevor, a bereaved man, explains how he was initially reluctant to have counselling but came to find it helpful and supportive in dealing with his grief.

Messages for practice

1. Many families and friends want to support a person at the end of life whether that person is dying at home or in a care setting.
2. Social care staff should be able to offer support not only to the dying person, but also to their carers.
3. Support for carers may be needed while their relative is dying, as well as after the death when the carer is grieving.
4. Carers can find support helpful in dealing with the death of a loved one.

Who will find this useful?

Those providing front line care and those managing or training staff working in domiciliary and other care settings.