The fundamentals of a dedicated palliative approach to care for people with dementia

Palliative care is for people with incurable illnesses and focuses on quality of life. There is no cure for dementia. Therefore, care for people with dementia is also palliative care. This care is often still sub-optimal. This thesis is part of the DEDICATED (Desired Dementia Care Towards End of Life) project, which aims to improve palliative care for people with dementia, at home and in the nursing home. This research studied the fundamentals of high-quality palliative dementia care. Therein were considered the perspectives of people with dementia themselves, their family caregivers and nursing staff. Various methods were used, such as interviews, questionnaires and literature research. The different studies led to recurring themes. Based on these themes,a DEDICATED-approach was developed together (in co-creation) with care professionals and education experts. The DEDICATED-approach should support nursing staff in providing palliative care for people with dementia.