Review of Programs for Persons Facing Death with Dementia

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Palliative Care
• Dementia Studies

Background:

• Advanced dementia leads to executive dysfunction, hindering activity initiation.
• Lack of activities exacerbates behavioral problems and unmet needs like boredom and loneliness.
• There is a critical need for tailored activity programs for advanced dementia residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe patient needs in advanced dementia.
• To review programs maintaining quality of life for those with dementia facing death.
• To identify effective interventions for end-of-life dementia care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of programs for advanced dementia patients in long-term care.
• Utilized PubMed database and collateral sources for program identification.
• Focused on programs addressing medical, behavioral, and activity needs.

Main Results:

• Palliative care for advanced dementia requires attention to medical issues, behavior, and meaningful activities.
• Non-pharmacological interventions involving meaningful activities are key for behavioral symptoms.
• Four programs were identified; Namaste Care offers daily, extended enhanced nursing care for sustained quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Maintaining quality of life for advanced dementia patients is achievable with specialized activity programs.
• Tailored programs can address the unique needs of individuals with advanced dementia.
• Namaste Care demonstrates a model for continuous quality of life support until the end of life.