Helping someone to wash: Information for carers

Here are some simple steps to support someone who is unwell to use the bath or shower.

Encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves, and let them take their time.

You could also:

  • check the bathroom is warm
  • check the bath or shower water is at a comfortable temperature
  • make sure they have everything they need: towels, clean clothes, toiletries, flannels, shaving supplies, and disposable wipes and pads if they use them
  • put a non-slip mat on the bottom of the bath or shower to help stop them from falling
  • stay within hearing distance in case they need you
Bathing or showering with a syringe driver

If someone has a syringe driver in place ( a small pump that gives medicines directly to them in a tube) they can have a shower or bath. But the syringe driver is not waterproof, so they will need to take care to keep it dry - they could put it in a plastic bag on a stool next to the bath or shower cubicle. Try and keep the clear dressing clean and dry but a nurse can also change it when needed.

Please see also:

Giving someone a bed bath

Moving someone in and out of bed

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Marie Curie - Helping someone to wash

Published 24th November 2022

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Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice
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Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice

T. 020 8967 5179

W. https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk/meadow-house-hospice/#community-palliative-care-team

The Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse Team provides advice and visiting to palliative care patients in Ealing and Hounslow. The team are based at Meadow House Hospice.

The team will visit patients with progressive life limiting illness in their own homes. They provide specialist advice around pain and symptom control and support for patients, their families, and carers during the last stages of illness. They also support patients wishing to die at home through coordination with GPs and hospital teams.

The team is comprised of medical consultants, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, a bereavement support officer and a patient and carer advocacy worker

The team can be contacted for referrals Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Between Monday to Friday 5.00pm and 8.30am, the Out of Hours Telephone Advice line 020 8102 5000 takes calls. Weekends and Bank Holidays 5.00pm to 9.00am.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Hospice UK
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Hospice UK can help find a hospice, provide infromation and support about end of life care and guidance to plan ahead.

Meadow House Hospice Inpatient Unit
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Meadow House Hospice Inpatient Unit

T. 0208 967 5179

W. http://meadowhouse.lnwh.nhs.uk

Meadow House Hospice provides inpatient palliative care services to the residents of Ealing.

The hospice has a 15 bedded inpatient unit supported by a team of dedicated staff providing 24/7 specialist support to patients and their family members. Patients with a progressive life limiting illness can be admitted for symptom management or end of life care.

Patients have a safe, dignified space of their own and the flexibility to spend time alone or in company, surrounded by their possessions and the people they care about. The hospice also has an extensive garden area that provides a quiet and reflective environment for both patients and family members.

Please contact the hospice Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and during the weekend 9.00am to 5.00pm on 0208 242 5817.

There is a 24 hour telephone support line to the hospice ward on 0208 967 5597.

Bereavement services to support family members, friends and carers connected to a loved one who was cared for by the Hospice, can be contacted via main switchboard.  

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)

Overnight/weekend services

Planned Night End of Life Care
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Planned Night End of Life Care

T. 0203 370 2208

This is an overnight service and is provided by Marie Curie via Meadow House Hospice for residents of Ealing and Hounslow. This service provides one to one overnight nursing support, symptom control, management of pain, emotional and practical support for patients in their last few weeks of life.

Referrals are made via Local Clinical Coordination Centre Monday to Sunday from 10.00pm to 7.00am.

Marie Curie Planned Night Services Referral Form (DOCX)
Rapid Response End of Life Care Service
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Rapid Response End of Life Care Service

T. 0208 967 5126

Marie Curie Rapid Response Service provides short term palliative nursing interventions, symptom control, management of pain, advice, emotional and practical support to the residents of Ealing and Hounslow. This service is based at Meadow House Hospice.

The service can be contacted Monday to Sunday from 6.00pm to 7.00am.

Rapid Response Referral Form (DOCX)

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