SERVICES FOR DEMENTIA IN THE TERMINAL PHASE: INTERVIEWS ABOUT EXPERIENCES IN FIVE COUNTRIES

The nature of physical, psychosocial and spiritual care needs of people with dementia and their families may change near the end of life. To prepare for developing optimal palliative care services for the terminal phase, we interviewed 25 experts about 15 special types of services for people with dementia in five countries (US, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, and Israel). Most services were for dying people or those with a life expectancy of at most 6 months or for advanced dementia (and continued until death), some were for both or earlier enrolment was possible. The interviews pointed to failure of attempts to move people and preferred, successful models in which a representative of a well-trained team takes time and brings specialized care and education of staff and family to where people are and ensures continuity of relationships with and around the patient.