Essential Equipment for Home‑Based Palliative Care

The right equipment at home does more than make life easier – it protects comfort and dignity, reduces stress for families, and helps everyone focus on what matters most: time together. If you’re planning or already providing palliative care at home, this guide explains the equipment needed for palliative care at home, how to choose and arrange it, and where to find support.

The essentials: hospice home care equipment

Every person’s needs are different, but most home set‑ups can be drawn from the list below. Your GP, community nurse, therapy team, or hospice clinicians can advise on what will help – and what can be delivered or loaned locally.

1) Bed, mattress and positioning

• Palliative care hospital bed at home (profiling bed). Electric profiling beds raise the head/legs and change height to support comfort, pressure relief and safe care. Side rails (used with individual risk assessment) can help with repositioning or night‑time settling.
• Pressure‑relieving mattress. Static foam, gel, or dynamic (air) mattresses distribute pressure, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers. Ask about pump‑driven overlays if the skin is fragile or there’s a history of sores.
• Positioning supports. Wedge cushions, pillows, cot‑sides, bumpers and slide sheets help with comfort and safer turns.

2) Moving and handling

• Hoists and slings. Mobile or ceiling‑track hoists enable safe transfers from bed to chair/commode with less strain on carers; a trained team should size and demonstrate the correct sling.
• Stand‑aids/transfer aids. Rotating turntables, transfer boards, or sit‑to‑stand frames help people who can bear some weight change position safely.
• Wheelchairs and walking aids. Lightweight chairs, walkers and frames maintain mobility and social contact. A home‑visit assessment can advise on sizing and turning space.

3) Comfort, continence and personal care

• Pressure cushions and recliner chairs. High‑back or riser‑recliners support upright sitting and easier standing.
• Commodes and toileting aids. Bedside commodes, raised toilet seats, and handrails reduce night‑time falls and urinals, and bedpans and maintain privacy.
• Bathing and washing. Over‑bath boards, shower stools, non‑slip mats and hand‑held shower heads make washing safer and less tiring.
• Mouth, skin and comfort care. Lip balm, skin barrier creams, soft toothbrushes and water‑based gels relieve common discomforts.

4) Breathing and symptom support

• Oxygen therapy (if prescribed). Home oxygen may be used for specific conditions; concentrators or cylinders should be set up and explained by the clinical team, with safety guidance for the home.
• Fans and positioning for breathlessness. A simple handheld fan directed at the face and supported upright positioning can ease breathlessness. Discuss techniques and pacing with your nurse or therapist.
• Suction and nebulisers (when appropriate). These devices are used for selected conditions under clinical instruction.

5) Small adaptations and safety

• Grab rails and ramps. Add stability at steps, bathrooms and doorways.
• Lighting, call bells and fall sensors. Good lighting, a bedside bell, or a monitored alarm can reduce anxiety and support night‑time safety.
• Medication and equipment station. Keep medicines, syringes, a sharp items box, and dressings in one labelled, child‑safe place.

How to arrange one. In many UK areas, profiling beds and mattresses are supplied through community equipment services after an assessment by a district nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or hospice team. Delivery, installation and removal at the end of use are typically included. If you need a bed urgently, ask your local doctor or hospice about interim options (loan stock, short‑term rental) while your assessment is processed.

Where it goes. Choose a ground‑floor room if stairs are difficult; leave space around the bed for hoist access on at least one side; and make sure there are enough sockets for the bed, mattress pump and a night‑light. Consider privacy and family time – a quiet corner of a familiar room can feel less isolating than a separate “sick room.”

How to access hospice home care equipment

Assessment and referral. Start with the clinical team (GP, community or hospice nurse, occupational therapist). They will assess needs and refer to your local equipment provider.

Loan vs purchase. Larger items – profiling beds, dynamic mattresses, hoists, commodes – are usually loaned free on the NHS following assessment. Smaller items (extra cushions, over‑bed tables) are often purchased by families or charities.

Delivery and upkeep. Delivery, set‑up and maintenance are normally arranged through local services. Keep manuals in one place and note the 24‑hour repair number; report faults promptly.

Short‑term rentals. If you’re waiting for an assessment or need something for a brief period, reputable mobility suppliers offer weekly rental of profiling beds, mattresses and wheelchairs – ask your clinical team to signpost trusted providers.

Preparing your home: practical tips

• Clear pathways and create turning space. Move furniture to allow hoist access and wheelchair turns; remove trip hazards and loose rugs.
• Plan the hygiene corner. Keep a lidded bin, gloves, hand gel, wipes and a laundry basket in one place. A compact trolley helps you move items between rooms.
• Protect everyone’s back. Use the bed height function, slide sheets and hoists as trained and schedule turns with two people when needed.
• Care for carers. Add a comfortable chair, a lamp and a blanket for overnight support; keep water, snacks and a phone charger close by.
• Emergency list. Post the names and numbers of your GP, community nurse, hospice, equipment repair service and pharmacy near the phone; include the person’s NHS number and medication list.

Reassurance for families

It’s normal to worry that specialist equipment will make the home feel clinical. Most families tell us the opposite happens: once discomfort and practical risks are reduced, the home becomes calmer and more “itself” again. Thoughtful choices – a soft throw over a recliner, photos by the bed, warm lighting – help the equipment sit quietly in the background while comfort and closeness come to the fore.

Getting started

Choosing the right equipment needed for palliative care at home is an act of love. A well‑set‑up palliative care hospital bed at home, pressure‑relieving mattress, safe transfer aids and a few simple adaptations can relieve symptoms, prevent complications and protect carers. With assessment, loan schemes and clear advice, most families can create a supportive environment quickly. If you’re unsure where to start, speak to the team at Hospice in the Weald, or contact your community nurse, therapy team or local hospice – help is closer than you think.