ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the potential end of life care needs when caring for people with dementia, including the management of symptoms and the potential ethical issues. However the National Council for Palliative Care recognises there are challenges to providing palliative and end of life care for people with dementia. These include the unpredictable disease trajectory of dementia; the need for appropriate education and training for all health and social care professionals; and the need for further resources and access to specialist palliative care professionals. End of life decisions for people with advanced dementia are reported as often difficult for families as they attempt to make appropriate and justified decisions within the context of the person's life story. Anticipatory grief and isolation has been identified and acknowledged due to the often lengthy disease trajectory of dementia and the difficulties associated with maintaining relationships as a result of deteriorating communication and memory loss.
