Dementia

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines how health and palliative social workers can identify and attend to the needs of persons with dementia (PWDs) and their care partners, both directly and within their multi- and interdisciplinary teams. Palliative principles reflect the many needs of PWDs and their care partners, addressing symptom burden, caregiver needs, advance care planning, and end-of-life care. Social workers can be empowered to help address structural and institutional challenges, as well as issues specific to illness comorbidity, as the dementia trajectory can be long and involve multiple care settings and relationships. Health and palliative social workers have opportunities to promote PWD personhood and their care partners’ well-being and resilience alongside dementia’s devastating impact. Addressing care preferences early and often is recommended, and there are many professional and user-friendly options to facilitate these conversations. The unique needs of dementia caregivers during bereavement are also addressed.