End of life care
All people who develop dementia will have dementia at the end of their lives, either as the condition they die from or as a factor that may complicate the care of a different condition.
Diminishing capacity means that it is important for the person with dementia to consider the type of care they would want and where they would want to be at the end of their life as early as possible.
Problems with capacity and communication can also contribute to undignified treatment and the under treatment of pain in people with dementia at the end of their lives.
Significant, co-ordinated and holistic support is needed to ensure that all people with dementia end their lives with dignity, free from pain and in the place of their choosing.
Information
- SIGN GuidelinesThe guideline covers: the identification and diagnosis of dementia, investigative procedures, post-diagnostic support, non-pharmacological distressed behaviours, grief and dementia, the changing needs of people with dementia, and palliative approaches.
- Stress and DementiaInformation about the link between stress and dementia
- Bereavement and Loss ResourcesBereavement and Loss Resources - a collection of resources where help and support for grief can be sought.
- Duty of Candour: Information for all providersThis document published by the Care Quality Commission sets out how meeting the Duty of Candour regulation will be central to both registration and inspection for NHS bodies and all other care providers regulated by the CQC.
- Pain in People with Dementia: A Silent TragedyThis report, published by Napp Pharmaceuticals, draws on a survey of interviews with experts, major providers of care, and on desk research. It quantifies the problem and sets out the issues in recognising, assessing and managing pain in people with dementia.
- Grief, loss and bereavementThis factsheet published by the Alzheimers Society looks at some of the feelings carers may experience in caring for someone living with dementia and suggests ways to cope. It also looks at supporting a person with dementia to cope with grief and bereavement.
- Planning for your future careThis guidance published by the National Council for Palliative Care explains advance care planning to the public. It outlines the different options available to people when planning for their end of life care.
- RCGP Commissioning Guidance in End of Life CareThis guidance offers a logical six-step framework and overview to support GP commissioners to deliver practical improvements in end of life care, aligned with national policy and quality standards.
- How would I know? What can I do?This guide, developed by the National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC), provides advice for carers and those who work with people with dementia on how to help with pain and distress in people with the condition.
- Matters of Life and Death: Helping people to live well until they dieThis guidance aims to support practitioners to implement the End of Life Care Patient Charter, jointly produced by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Nursing.
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