How long does Palliative Care last?

Guidance on how long Palliative Care can last

Palliative care is offered for those living with a serious illness causing significant pain or symptoms, as well as those with a terminal illness. In either case, it can be difficult to know how long palliative care will last for. Here, we are examining the role of palliative care to improve quality of life, the variation in its duration depending on circumstances, factors that influence the duration of this type of care, and when it may be time to transition to end-of-life care. 

At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about palliative care, we can help.

How long does palliative care last? 

Firstly, palliative care often begins at the discretion of the medical team looking after a person with a serious or terminal illness. If you are wondering when palliative care should begin for yourself or a loved one, you can learn more about this process in our guide: When Should Someone Be Offered Palliative Care?

Understanding how long palliative care will last is tricky for patients and their families, as this is often entirely dependent on the needs of the individual, their specific circumstances, and the progression of their illness. Factors that influence this may include: 

Type of care (palliative or end-of-life care)

Palliative care can last for several weeks, months, or even years in some cases, depending on the outcomes. For those with a terminal illness, at some point palliative care will transition to end-of-life care under the guidance of the doctors in charge of care, and this will typically last for weeks or months from the implementation of palliative care. 

For those living with a serious but non-life threatening illness, palliative care could go on for years as a way to manage symptoms and improve quality of life on an ongoing basis, or until treatments work. 

If you have questions about the differences in these types of care, you may find our guide on end of life care vs palliative care useful.

Location of care

The location where palliative care takes place is also important. For example, a 2016 study found that patients who were referred to hospital for palliative care experienced 24.5 fewer days of palliative care than those who were referred to community palliative care services. 

Additionally, a study on hospice at home services found this allowed around 73% of patients to die in their preferred place (at home or in a hospice). Research from 2022 found that while most people receiving palliative care passed away in hospital, only 28.7% of people passed away in their own home, highlighting the need for more at-home palliative care options so patients can choose where they want to spend their final months and weeks.

A 2022 study also found patients undergoing palliative care preferred to “retain control over their lives, to be autonomous and to be seen as the person they had always been”. Person-centred home care ensuring continuity and predictability was a key factor in this. 

Health condition 

Other studies have found that the length of palliative care is largely dependent on factors including the type of condition the person has, with a 2016 study also finding that patients with non-cancer diagnoses had 13 fewer days of palliative care than patients with a cancer diagnosis. 

Age

The same 2016 study found that patient age was a key factor in the duration of palliative care regardless of diagnosis, with patients over 75 years old experiencing 29 fewer days of palliative care than patients under 50 years old.

Ultimately there is no way to predict exactly how long palliative care may last, but the medical professionals involved in a person’s care will usually do their best to utilise their knowledge and experience to provide a rough idea to patients and their families.

When does palliative care become end-of-life care? 

The changeover to end-of-life care will be advised and directed by the doctor or medical professional in charge of the person’s care, so this transition will be personalised depending on their condition progression and circumstances. Usually this will become a conversation if the person’s condition is deteriorating significantly, and practical discussions may be a part of this, such as making an advance decision to refuse treatment.

From this point, treatment often moves from minimising symptoms and treating the condition, to more intensive pain relief and measures taken to ensure their comfort. Emotional support for the patient and their family will also become a focus during this phase, to help them handle the emotional and mental health challenges of such a diagnosis. Medical professionals and caregivers involved in this phase are trained and experienced in handling sensitive situations, providing reassurance and comfort, ensuring continuity of care, and communicating important information clearly and compassionately. 

If you would like to learn more about the difference between palliative care and end-of-life care, our dedicated guide can make this clearer: End Of Life Care vs Palliative Care

How can palliative care provide support for families?

Palliative care is often highly holistic, taking into account everything from the patient’s personal wishes to the emotional experience of the family members helping with their care. This type of care is designed to prioritise the patient’s dignity, comfort, and individual preferences so that no matter the outcome of their condition, they maintain their quality of life for as long as possible. 

These actions can also provide comfort to families who are involved in the process, and by coordinating care plans, the person can benefit from consistency of care between medical professionals, professional caregivers, and family members. 

If you or your loved one would like more information about palliative care, we have a library of guides and resources that may help answer any additional questions you have: 

• If you would like to learn more about palliative care in general, our guides may be beneficial: What is Palliative Care? and The 5 Stages Of Palliative Care
• If you are looking for more information on end-of-life care, you may find what you need here: What Is An End Of Life Care Plan? and Understanding The End Of Life Care Pathway
• When it comes to the practical side of palliative care and end-of-life care conversations, our guides could help you navigate this: Funding & Who Pays For Palliative Care, Health And Welfare Power Of Attorney and How To Get Power Of Attorney For Elderly Parents
• If you are looking to arrange home care services to help manage other elements of palliative care, you can learn more in our guides: What Is Home Or Domiciliary Care? and How To Choose & Arrange Home Care Services
• If you are caring for a loved one who is receiving palliative care, you may find our guides helpful: The Benefits Of In Home Respite Care and Carer’s Burnout: Knowing You Need Respite

Palliative care can be a difficult experience for patients and families alike, so if you choose to undertake this care at home, bringing in additional help in the form of a professional caregiver trained in palliative care could ease the challenges of managing symptoms and pain. 

Our experienced, supportive Care Professionals can provide the help needed to address any and all concerns during the palliative care process, and maintain quality of life for the person throughout the experience. For support with palliative care, reach out to your local Home Instead office to discuss your options.

We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.