Palliative care and dementia.

Abstract

Dementia is a highly prevalent, progressive, life-limiting illness for which there is no cure. Palliative care is a specialized area of healthcare that focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting diseases. Symptoms such as disorientation, tension, and anxiety occur in patients with dementia at moderate to severe levels as they approach the end of their lives, as well as other common symptoms found with cancer patients, yet the dementia population continues to be unrecognized for their need for palliative care. This article examines current literature with respect to palliative care for patients with dementia.