Home Care Services
End of Life Care at Home in Dartford & Kent
What is end of life care?
End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life, and for the family and friends who love them. Its focus is comfort, dignity and quality of life, helping the person live as well as possible and, when the time comes, die peacefully in the place they choose. For many people, that place is home.
Mission Healthcare provides compassionate end of life care at home across Dartford and north Kent. Our carers support your loved one with personal care, comfort and companionship, and can visit at agreed times or provide more continuous support as needs change. We aim to work alongside the professionals already involved, such as your GP, district nurses and local hospice teams, so everyone is working towards the same wishes.
Our service is overseen by a UK-qualified doctor and a registered nurse, and our carers understand how important it is to be calm, gentle and respectful at such a sensitive time. We take time to listen to your loved one’s wishes and to the people closest to them, and we are there to offer reassurance to the whole family, not just the person receiving care.
How our carers can help
Our Care Services
Talk to Us About End of Life Care
We know this can be a difficult time. Call our Dartford team for a caring, confidential conversation about how we can support your loved one and your family at home.
Who is end of life care for?
End of life care can support anyone with an advanced, progressive or incurable illness, such as cancer, heart failure, lung disease, motor neurone disease or advanced dementia, as well as older people who are becoming increasingly frail. Care can begin whenever it is needed, whether that is months before the end of life or in the final days, and can be increased as needs change. If your loved one mainly needs everyday help at this stage, our domiciliary care or live-in care services may also be suitable.
Supporting families as well as your loved one
Caring for someone at the end of their life is emotionally and physically demanding. Our carers can take on practical tasks so you can spend precious time together as a family, or step in so you can rest. We keep you informed, listen to your concerns and offer a calm, reassuring presence during a very difficult time. Our respite care can also give family carers a break when they need it.
How to arrange end of life care in Dartford
1. Get in touch. Call us on +44 7470 367 720 or send us a message. We understand care is sometimes needed quickly and will do our best to respond promptly.
2. Care assessment. We visit to understand your loved one’s needs, wishes and routines, and to find out which health professionals are already involved.
3. A personalised care plan. We agree the support needed, visit times and how we will keep in touch with you and the wider care team.
4. Care and ongoing review. Our carers begin their visits and we review the care plan regularly, adapting support as needs change.
Planning ahead and local support
Many people find it helpful to record their wishes in an advance care plan, including where they would like to be cared for. Your GP, district nurse or hospice team can help with this. In Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley, ellenor provides hospice care, including care at home, and the NHS has helpful guidance on end of life care. Charities such as Marie Curie also offer information and support for families.
Paying for end of life care
If your loved one’s health is deteriorating quickly and they are nearing the end of life, they may qualify for NHS continuing healthcare through the fast-track process, which means their care is fully funded by the NHS. A health professional involved in their care, such as a GP or district nurse, can start this. Otherwise, care can be arranged privately or with support from Kent County Council following a care needs assessment. We are happy to talk through the options and give you a clear quote. We provide end of life care in Dartford, Greenhithe, Wilmington, Longfield, Swanley, Crayford, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Erith, Sidcup, Gravesend and Northfleet.
─── End of Life Care FAQs
Your End of Life Care Questions Answered
We know you may have many questions at this time. Here are answers to some of the things families in Dartford and Kent ask us most often.