title: Palliative and end of life care for people living with dementia in care homes: part 1.
abstract: The terms palliative and end of life care are often used interchangeably and healthcare practitioners may perceive that palliative care is only appropriate during the terminal stages of an illness. This article, the first of two parts, provides healthcare practitioners with an overview of the concept of palliative care. It explains how this can be differentiated from end of life care and how it should be commenced in a timely manner, so that people who are living with dementia can contribute to the planning of their future care and death. The policies and tools used in the provision of palliative and end of life care are discussed, including advance care planning and The Gold Standards Framework. The article is framed in a care home context; there is little research about how to optimise palliative care for people living with dementia in care homes. The second part of this article will discuss end of life care and the best practices for providing end of life care, including nutrition and hydration, oral hygiene, pain management and spiritual care.
authors.affiliation: Four Seasons Health Care, Irish Regional Office, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Four Seasons Health Care, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agnelli
authors.affiliation: Silverbirch Lodge Nursing Home, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Jessie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGreevy
authors.affiliation: Four Seasons Health Care, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.affiliation: Leabank Nursing Home, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Herlindina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roble
authors.affiliation: Four Seasons Health Care, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McShane
authors.affiliation: Four Seasons Health Care, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strain
mesh_terms: D032722:Advance Care Planning; D003657:Decision Making; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000592:standards*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: advance care planning; care homes; communication; dementia; end of life care; holistic care; older adult care; palliative care; person-centred care