Identification of palliative care needs at the end of life for dementia patients can decrease acute hospital care needs and admissions

Commentary on: Leniz J, Higginson IJ, Yi D, et al. Identification of palliative care needs among people with dementia and its association with acute hospital care and community service use at the end-of-life: a retrospective cohort study using linked primary, community and secondary care data. Palliat Med 2021;35:1691–700. doi:10.1177/02692163211019897, PMID: 34053356. Implications for practice and research Research should be conducted to explore the relationship between identification of the palliative care needs of dementia patients and hospital admissions. An approach for early identification of palliative care needs should be developed and integrated into practice. Nurses should be aware of the increased burden of symptoms and the need for palliative care for dementia patients in the last months of life. Context Dementia is an issue that is becoming more common with the rapidly ageing population. As the severity of symptomatology increases, dementia patients can...
Source: Evidence-Based Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Care of the older person Commentary Source Type: research