title: Care of the dying neurologic patient.
abstract: The causes of death in patients with neurodegenerative diseases are important information for patients and relatives because misleading information causes additional burdens. Early and frank discussion about disease progression, the causes of death, and end-of-life decisions might support the patient's and family's acceptance of the dying process and also helps physicians to frame treatment goals more explicitly. These goals include the place of death as well as medication administered at the end of life. The Liverpool Care Pathway provides a useful tool to standardize the care at the end of life that contributes to individual decisions and care plans. The prescription of medication at the end of life in various neurodegenerative diseases differs from treatment during the earlier phases of the diseases, not only because of swallowing difficulties but also in terms of symptom control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital, Cologne, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology, Cologne and Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: raymond.voltz@uk-koeln.de.
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Voltz
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nübling
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lorenzl
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Liverpool Care Pathway; dying patient; end-of-life decision-making; neurodegenerative diseases; palliative care; symptomatic treatment