Australia has a growing ageing population, which means that the numbers of those with dementia will also grow. In the last 10 years deaths due to Dementia and Alzheimer's disease have more than doubled and is now the third leading cause of death in Australia (ABS, 2010).

People with dementia are found in all settings of care, with many now being cared for in dementia specific units.

Resources

• ACH group - Planning for palliative dementia care: A resource guide 2009 (Local Palliative Care Grants Program Funding Round Four)
• Hines S, McCrow J, Abbey J, Foottit, J, Wilson J, Franklin S, Beattie E. The effectiveness and appropriateness of a palliative approach to care for people with advanced dementia: a systematic review. JBI Library of Systematic Reviews. 2011;9(26):960-1131.
• The Local Palliative Care Grants program project addressing a palliative approach for people with dementia at the end of life - Palliative Dementia care: Communities of Practice 
• The Department of Health and Ageing has funded dementia projects in the Local Palliative Care Grants Round 5
• The General Medical Council in the UK has produced a guidance for doctors that may be of interest: Treatment and Care Towards the End of Life – Good practice in decision-making.

Related CareSearch pages

Nurses Hub
Aged Care
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Clinical Practice
People with Dementia

For Patients and Families Pages
People with Dementia

CNIN Information Sheet
Dementia

PubMed Topic Search
Dementia

Review Collection
Dementia

Free Full Text Article

Sachs GA, Shega JW, Cox-Hayley D. Barriers to excellent end-of-life care for patients with dementia. J Gen Intern Med. 2004 Oct;19(10):1057-63.

References

• Australian Bureau of Statistics. 3303.0 - Causes of Death. Australia, 2010
• Chang E, Daly J, Johnson A, Harrison K, Easterbrook S, Bidewell J, Stewart H, Noel M, Hancock K. Challenges for professional care of advanced dementia. Int J Nurs Pract. 2009 Feb;15(1):41-7.
• Ryan T, Ingleton C, Gardiner C, Nolan M, Gott M. Supporting people who have dementia to die with dignity. Nurs Older People. 2009 Jun;21(5):18-23.
• Birch D, Draper J. A critical literature review exploring the challenges of delivering effective palliative care to older people with dementia. J Clin Nurs. 2008 May;17(9):1144-63.
• Birch D, Stokoe D. Caring for people with end-stage dementia. Nurs Older People. 2010 Mar;22(2):31-6.

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Last updated 20 March 2012