Hospice Care for Patients With Advanced Progressive Dementia
(Springer Series on Ethics, Law and Aging)
By Ladislav Volicer (Editor), Ann Hurley (Editor)
Published by Springer Publishing Company
Publication date: April, 1998
320 pp.
ISBN: 0826111629

Synopsis
An outstanding technical reference with contributions from twenty-seven specialists who cover a range of issues in care of patients with severe and terminal dementia. Recommended for nurses, physicians, hospice staff, social workers, and other health care professionals.

There is no cure for the progressive dementias and the afflicted person can live for from two to twenty years (average is eight). In the early stage, some drugs may temper the cognitive and behavioral symptoms and non-pharmacological interventions can improve quality of life for the patient, so a chronic illness model is appropriate to guide care. As the neurological impairment worsens, persons become completely dependent on caregivers and complications develop.