3. The Impact of Palliative Care on Life Expectancy
Palliative care plays an essential role in managing late-stage dementia and, by extension, can influence life expectancy. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stresses of the disease, improving the quality of life for both the patient and their family.
The palliative approach to dementia care revolves around managing physical symptoms, which can range from difficulties with eating and walking to recurrent infections. Tailored interventions can help address these issues, thereby enhancing comfort and potentially preventing health complications.
Emotional and psychological support is another pillar of palliative care. Late-stage dementia can often be a challenging time emotionally for both the person and their loved ones. Emotional support, counseling, and therapies can help manage these feelings, providing a semblance of peace during this challenging period.
Palliative care also focuses on fostering communication and decision-making. The care team works closely with the person and their loved ones, discussing their preferences, understanding their fears and concerns, and making informed decisions about their care.
Spiritual support is also part of palliative care. This can involve conversations about the meaning of life, the fear of death, or the exploration of one’s faith or spirituality. Such discussions can provide comfort and help the person and their loved ones find peace with the situation.
By addressing these various aspects, palliative care can potentially enhance the quality of life and, by extension, possibly impact life expectancy in late-stage dementia. (3)
