End-of-Life Care at Home: Mrs. JB’s Story
For many, the thought of spending their final days in the comfort of home—surrounded by the familiar—is not just a preference, but a strong personal drive. At Ashridge Home Care, the whole team is passionate about enabling people to stay at home no matter what. We believe that care should be shaped not only by needs, but by the small daily joys that make life meaningful—even at the end. This was never more evident than in our time with Mrs. JB, a remarkable woman we were privileged to support for over five years.
Mrs. JB lived alone in a beautiful rural setting, where she enjoyed village life, popping to the village shop and attending a local day centre. She was a pillar of her village, actively involved in local life, and determined to stay in her beloved home. Ashridge carers initially supported her over several years with regular hourly visits, helping her maintain independence while remaining deeply connected to her community—a central part of her care plan. At first Ashridge carers supported her in a PA capacity and she enjoyed her regular visits and had a great relationship with them. As her needs increased gradually, the visits became more frequent and Ashridge supported her most mornings to get ready for the day ahead and over the lunch periods when she wasn’t attending the day centre.
Even as she approached her 90th birthday and her health began to decline, her core wish remained the same: to carry on as normal in her own home. Over the years, Ashridge carers supported her through various health challenges, including recovery from cataract surgeries. During these times, a live-in carer would stay with her, offering one-to-one support and continuity of care that brought both physical recovery and companionship.
In 2021, discussions arose around the possibility of moving her into a care home. But with a robust Power of Attorney in place, her wish to stay at home was made clear—to everyone involved in her care.
Respecting that wish, Ashridge Home Care worked closely with her son—who lived in the USA—to create a tailored live-in care plan. This plan was built around her evolving needs while upholding her independence and dignity. With the support of Adult Social Care, direct payments were secured to sustain continuous, high-quality care within the comfort of her home. With the help of a live-in carer she managed to continue her daily walk to the village shop even in her final 6 months when she was much frailer but the help from one person dedicated to her care meant she could continue her daily routines. In late 2024, as her health declined more rapidly following a chest infection, the flexibility of live-in care proved invaluable as they coordinated not just with family but with medical professionals and gave her continuous intensive care.
Though her son lives abroad, technology helped bridge the distance. Daily WhatsApp and Teams calls brought her joy and emotional stability and meant the carers involved in her care knew exactly what was important to her happiness. These virtual moments weren’t just comforting—they were vital. Her live-in carer often used stories from these calls to calm and reassure her. These calls also helped the carer deliver even more personalised care, drawing on insights about Mrs. JB’s preferences, routines, and personal history—details that make all the difference at this stage of life.
As her final days approached, communication between her carer, her son, and local health teams remained seamless. Every decision was made with compassion, clarity, and respect. On her last day, her live-in carer played Neil Diamond—her favourite artist. Surrounded by the comforts of home, Mrs. JB passed away peacefully just shy of her 90th birthday.
Mrs. JB’s story is one of many that show the profound impact home care can have—particularly live-in care at the end of life. It’s a reminder that with the right support, it’s entirely possible to remain in your own home, surrounded by memories. At Ashridge Home Care, we’re proud to help make this possible. Because everyone deserves the right to choose where and how they live their final chapter.