It may be quite challenging for both the person with dementia and those close to them when they are nearing the end of their life. But there are things you may do to help the person and other members of their immediate family or close acquaintances.
You will likely be dealing with a variety of health and social care experts at this point. The more effectively everyone involved in providing the person’s end-of-life care communicates, the better.
It could be difficult for you to consider or discuss death, and it might be disturbing to read any of this information. However, having these crucial discussions with the person and making plans in advance might make their final days more pleasant. It might also be beneficial for those close to the person, including you.
Anyone with a life-limiting condition should make arrangements for their death. It’s crucial to attempt and start these dialogues about Alzheimer’s palliative care options with a dementia patient as soon as possible, while it’s still possible to make decisions together.
However, a lot of people do not feel prepared to consider their own mortality. When decisions need to be made on someone else’s behalf in this situation, having a general understanding of the person’s values, wishes, and beliefs might be helpful.
People with serious illnesses can receive specialized medical care called long-term care. All patients with serious illnesses are suitable candidates for long-term care, which can be administered either as the main focus of treatment or in conjunction with curative therapy.
A multidisciplinary team that includes psychologists, social workers, chaplains, occupational and physical therapists, physicians, nurses, and nutritionists provides it. Anyone with a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, such as dementia, is eligible for long-term treatment.
It emphasizes minimizing discomfort or distress to improve a person’s quality of life. A patient may get palliative care for a brief period of time or a number of years. Palliative care may be given in addition to other forms of medical care, especially in the early stages of dementia. Any long-term care already in place will be continued in addition to end-of-life care.
The Active Phase
Alzheimer’s disease symptoms are controlled by active care, which also develops a personalized care plan for the patient. The plan takes into account your loved one’s wishes for their quality of life as well as their needs for daily care, everyday support, and spiritual guidance.
This phase entails making sure your loved one can access homecare services if necessary, making recommendations for expert guidance when appropriate, and continuously monitoring their condition so any changes may be immediately addressed.
The Transition Phase
The Transition Phase has three main components: communication, end-of-life care planning, and emotional support.
Communication
Discussing the patient’s status and outlook with family members and medical experts should be open and honest. To provide care that is specific to the patient’s needs, it is critical for families to comprehend the patient’s wants and needs.
Final Care Plans
The patient’s end-of-life care plan, which ought to include the kinds of medical treatments they would desire to receive, must be discussed. As part of end-of-life preparation, the patient’s financial and legal affairs should be in order.
Emotional and Psychological Support
Healthcare professionals should offer the patient and their family emotional support as they go through this trying transitional period. In order to help the patient and their family deal with the emotional and spiritual components of the transition, healthcare providers should also offer tools and support.
How Does Palliative Care Help Families?
Family and volunteer caregivers are essential to the long-term care system. Over the course of care, caregivers and those being treated frequently develop enduring bonds. As a result, caregivers could experience extreme emotional and physical stress.
Hospices offer a variety of services to support caregiver well-being, including opportunities for caregiver respite. The principal individual receiving care may be placed in a nursing home or inpatient hospice unit for a number of days in order to provide a respite that lasts anywhere from a few hours to several days.
How to Pay for Palliative Care
The funding for long-term care typically comes from a mix of governmental and private sources. Medicare and Medicaid in the US cover palliative care services, and some or all of the costs may also be covered by private insurance policies. It is crucial to confirm with your insurance company exactly what kind of long-term care coverage you have.
In addition, a lot of medical facilities and hospice facilities provide financial aid programs to persons who cannot afford long-term care.
Which Resources are Available to Palliative Care Patients?
There are numerous tools available for patients receiving long-term care to support them as they travel through their journey. There are several resources available for people looking for support, ranging from internet forums and support groups to nurses and facilities focused on long-term care. Additionally, a lot of hospitals offer assistance services like social work and counseling.
Hospice groups also provide a range of services, such as bereavement counseling, spiritual support, and medical care. These tools can be incredibly helpful in assisting people in overcoming the difficulties of palliative care.
Palliative care can be a difficult journey, but it does not have to be traversed alone. With the right resources and support, it can be an opportunity to make the most of a patient’s remaining time.