Caru Programme Evaluation
Caru is now entering its fourth year, and as we reflect on the learnings highlighted during Palliative Care Week, particularly the message that palliative care is not what people think it is, but a holistic approach that supports living well with a life-limiting illness, we can clearly see how Caru’s training reinforces this understanding.
The Caru Programme is currently under formal evaluation by UCD, and the Phase 2 results are already demonstrating very positive outcomes across participating nursing homes. Staff who completed three or more Caru educational components reported:
24% increase in confidence in delivering end-of-life care, showing how stronger communication, planning and reflective practice can support residents and families throughout illness, not only at the end of life.
Staff who completed three or more Caru educational components reported increased confidence in delivering end‑of‑life care, showing how strengthened communication, planning and reflective practice directly support residents and families throughout illness, not solely at the end of life.
Nursing homes with higher levels of Caru engagement also demonstrated greater organisational readiness for change, more consistent use of standardised advance care documentation, strengthened end‑of‑life care policies, and increased confidence in communicating with families and GPs.
These Phase 2 findings highlight the commitment, expertise and leadership of nursing home teams who are actively delivering the broader, person‑centred model of palliative care championed during Palliative Care Week. confidence and communication.
With the final phase of the evaluation underway, we look forward to sharing the completed report in 2027 and continuing to work alongside nursing homes whose expertise and commitment are central to supporting palliative care as not what people think it is, but what residents and families need it to be. As part of this next stage, we will be delivering a detailed presentation outlining the Phase 2 UCD findings and how we propose to move forward together into the final phase of the evaluation.
Please reach out to us at info@caru.ie or by calling us on 01-6793188. We would be delighted to deliver this presentation to you and your team.
For those interested in exploring the findings further, you can also view the Caru Evaluation Flyer for additional insights and key observations from Phase 2.