Jewish Care has won the End of Life Care in Dementia Award at the 2026 UK Dementia Awards, recognising the organisation’s specialist, compassionate support for people living with dementia and their families at the end of life.
Last year, 40% of residents moved to Jewish Care homes for end-of-life care, reflecting a rising demand for short-term palliative care. The need continues to increase as people are living longer with multiple long-term conditions and advanced dementia.
Jewish Care’s CEO Daniel Carmel-Brown says, “The national award recognises the sensitive, respectful and personalised care delivered by our dedicated staff across Jewish Care. The number of people in the Jewish community who are living with dementia and who are at end-of-life is increasing. We are proud of the way our teams work holistically to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual and cognitive needs of those we care for, with expertise, empathy and grace at end of life, while supporting relatives and carers.”
Judges highlighted Jewish Care’s commitment to dignity, respect, cultural awareness and best practice, including advance care planning alongside identifying pain and symptom management as people’s needs and capacity change. Jewish Care provides support at every stage of dementia, including end-of-life care that is tailored to each person’s choices and values, and is delivered in partnership with families and carers and a multi-disciplinary team who work closely with residents and families to understand what matters most to them at this stage of life.
Jewish Care’s End-of-Life Care team led by Paula Plaskow, End of Life and Palliative Care Lead says “We are honoured to receive this award. How we die matters to each person, and to the family who are left behind. It’s so important for us all to have conversations with individuals and families about what matters to them at the end of life, while they are still able. Through sensitive Advance Care Plan conversations, we strive to ensure that everyone’s preferences are respected, delivering care that is person-centred, empathetic, and grounded in dignity.”
The awards ceremony was held in Warwickshire at Coombe Abbey Hotel and representatives of Jewish Care received the award from Alexander Dragonetti, a former British Diplomat, who rose to prominence as the “People’s Champion” on the 2025 series of The Traitors.
Jewish Care recently held a training session for staff on Palliative/End-of-Life Care during Dying Matters Week led by palliative medicine consultant Dr Jo Brady who works at Barnet Hospital and North London Hospice, where she is deputy medical director. Dr Brady has a special interest in frailty and dementia. She is also the education and simulation lead for the palliative medicine London training committee.