Palliative Care in Early, Moderate, and Advanced Dementia

Abstract

Caring for patients with progressive, irreversible dementia is challenging for physicians and caregiver. By focusing on quality of life as the primary goal of medical care in the later stages of dementia, health care providers may help patients and family members prepare for the degenerative course of the disease and plan for the future. Physicians should focus on preservation of independence and relief of physical and emotional suffering for both patients and their caregivers.