Dialogue on Ideal End-of-Life Care for Those With Dementia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify both meanings and perceptions of delivery of end-of-life (EoL) care for the person experiencing dementia.


METHODS
As part of a larger cross-sectional mixed methods study examining quality of life in dementia, perspectives of EoL care were sought from 136 seniors using open-ended questions administered at interview.


RESULTS
Seniors living in various settings identified obligatory requisites of care as time when the finality of death needed to be accepted, comfort was prioritized, family presence was valued, appearance remained important, and solitude or time "to be with God" was stressed. Skilled nursing care, honesty, and engaged family were also necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding EoL preferences of those with dementia is critical for advocacy and service delivery.
Winnipeg Health Region, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Helen Glass Centre for Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada lsarcher@deerlodge.mb.ca.
Lois A
LA
Stewart-Archer
School of Arts & Sciences, Brandman University, Irvine, CA, USA.
Afrooz
A
Afghani
Older Persons' Health Care, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Christine M
CM
Toye
College of Health Sciences, Trident University International, Cypress, CA, USA.
Frank A
FA
Gomez
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*
end of life; older adults; palliation and dementia; preferences; seniors