Comprehensive Care for the Older Adult: Terminal Dementia and End of Life
Presented by Carol O. Long
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The last six months of life is considered the terminal or end-stage of dementia. Patients living at home will require the utmost attention during the dying process. While Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are terminal, they are often not recognized and appropriate comfort approaches are not used. The need for holistic care, including maximizing comfort across all quality of life domains, is critical to effective patient disease management. This course will discuss strategies for maximizing comfort at the end of life, promoting goals of care, managing functional changes, and methods of educating patients and family members.
Meet your instructor
Carol O. Long
Dr. Long is a known expert in geriatric palliative and community-based health care, nationally and internationally. She has been a registered nurse for over 40 years holding various staff, management, education, and consultant positions. She has authored numerous articles, book chapters, abstracts, and monographs related to…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Maximizing Comfort at End of Life
This chapter will discuss the features of end stage dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Hospice criteria will be outlined and explained. In addition, anticipatory changes and functional losses will be highlighted, including causes of death.
2. Promoting Goals of Care: Part One
This chapter will discuss patient and family goals of care. The context and elements of advance directives will be outlined, as well as the goals of terminal support care. In addition, benefit/burden analysis will be presented.
3. Promoting Goals of Care: Part Two
In this chapter, characteristics and elements of terminal dementia are discussed in regards to educating and supporting family members. Behavioral manifestations are examined, as well as nonpharmacologic interventions available for patients. End of life considerations, such as death rites and tasks for families, are identified.
More courses in this series
Comprehensive Care for the Older Adult: Mild Dementia
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Comprehensive Care for the Older Adult: Advanced/Late-Stage Dementia
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Comfort Fundamentals for Dementia: Bathing, Environment, and Nutrition
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Comprehensive Care for the Older Adult: Moderate Dementia
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Comprehensive Care for the Older Adult: Terminal Dementia and End of Life
Carol O. Long