Dementia and

Palliative Care

Palliative CareThe world health organization (WHO) defines

palliative care as the following:

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

Key Principles

• Focus on quality of life which includes good symptom control

• Whole person approach taking into account the person’s past life experiences and current situation

• Care which encompasses both the person with the life threatening disease and those that matter to them

• Respect for person’s autonomy and choice• Emphasis on open and sensitive communication,

which extends to patients, informal carers and professional colleagues

Palliative Care Approach in Dementia

Why?• Equity• Approach is

suitable/helpful• Similar needs• Focus on quality

not quantity

• Access• Trajectory• Communication• Symptom experience• Ability to participate

in care• Relationships• Autonomy

Trajectory

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

C onfusion Incontine nce Pain low m ood constipation loss of appe ti te

DementiaCancer

How Do We Address the Challenges?

• Recognition

• Clinical science

• Communication

• Education

• Environment

• Values

• Ethics

• Partnership

Palliative Care Approach in Dementia

‘You matter because you are you, and you matter until the last moment of your life’

Dame Cecily SaundersMission statementSt. Christopher’s hospice