End of Life Care for Adults Course

End of Life Care for Adults – Online Course

Course overview
This online course introduces the principles of end of life care for adults, focusing on recognising the final days of life, communicating effectively and providing individualised care. Learners explore shared decision-making, hydration, pain relief and the management of common symptoms, including breathlessness, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, delirium and agitation. The course takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete and carries 2 CPD points.

Please note: This course provides introductory learning about end of life care, with content intended for those undertaking training at an intermediate Level 2. It does not replace any practical, regulated or role-specific training an employer may require.

What the course covers
• The process of dying
• Recognising the last days of life
• Gathering relevant information
• Monitoring individuals receiving end of life care
• Communication during end of life care
• Shared decision-making
• Individualised care
• Maintaining hydration
• Clinically assisted hydration
• Pharmacological interventions
• Pain management
• Managing breathlessness
• Managing nausea and vomiting
• Managing anxiety, delirium and agitation

Who is it for?
This course is suitable for people involved in providing care and support to adults approaching the end of life. It may be useful for:
• Palliative care nurses
• Hospice care workers and volunteers
• General practitioners and primary care teams
• Social workers
• Care home and residential care staff
• Family caregivers and volunteers
• Healthcare and social care professionals seeking to develop their knowledge
• Staff undertaking induction, refresher training or awareness development

Practical benefits
• Develop an understanding of the principles of end of life care
• Recognise signs that an individual may be approaching the last days of life
• Understand the importance of clear communication and shared decisions
• Appreciate the need to tailor care to individual circumstances
• Understand approaches to maintaining hydration
• Improve awareness of pain management and symptom control
• Recognise common symptoms that may require appropriate assessment and management
• Strengthen understanding of compassionate support for adults approaching the end of life

What learners will be able to do
• Explain key principles and terminology associated with end of life care for adults
• Recognise the importance of identifying the last days of life
• Understand the role of information gathering and monitoring
• Describe the importance of communication and shared decision-making
• Explain why care should be individualised
• Understand approaches to maintaining hydration, including clinically assisted hydration
• Identify common symptoms addressed in end of life care, including pain, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting
• Recognise the relevance of pharmacological interventions
• Understand the importance of recognising and managing anxiety, delirium and agitation
• Recognise when advice or further support may be required within their role

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online quiz at the end of the course. On successful completion, they receive a CPD-accredited certificate that can be downloaded or printed. The course takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete, carries 2 CPD points and includes unlimited assessment retakes.