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[Palliative care and Alzheimer disease].
F Lopez-Tourres1, S Lefebvre-Chapiro, D Fétéanu
1Pôle vieillissement, réadaptation et accompagnement, hôpital Paul-Brousse, AP-HP, 14, avenue Paul-Vaillant-Couturier, 948000 Villejuif, France.
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|November 4, 2008
Summary
End-of-life care for Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is crucial but suboptimal. Improving palliative care interventions is essential to alleviate suffering for AD patients and their caregivers.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Palliative Care
Context:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- End-of-life care planning is less established for AD compared to terminal cancer.
- The increasing prevalence of AD necessitates better end-of-life care strategies.
Purpose:
- To review palliative care interventions for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
- To highlight the importance and challenges of end-of-life care in advanced AD.
- To advocate for improved palliative care for AD patients.
Summary:
- Palliative care interventions for Alzheimer's disease are reviewed.
- Current end-of-life care for AD patients is often suboptimal.
- Barriers exist in providing high-quality palliative care for individuals with advanced dementia.
Impact:
- This review underscores the need for enhanced palliative care for Alzheimer's patients.
- Recommendations are provided for healthcare systems and clinicians to improve care.
- Efforts are needed to reduce suffering for patients with advanced dementia and their families.
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