Contents:
Part 1 Foundations and options for programme development: stages of dementia - an overview; palliative care for late-stage dementia; maintaining personhood - philosophy, goals, programme development and staff education; administration of a late-stage dementia programme in the nursing home setting. Part 2 Treatment approaches for common needs: medical care during late-stage dementia; treatment approaches to common physical care needs; strategies for eating, swallowing and dysphagia; a supportive environment for people with late-stage dementia; communications and fundamentals of care - bathing, grooming and dressing; behaviours associated with late-stage dementia; psychopharmacology and late-stage dementia behaviours; therapeutic activities for low- functioning older adults with dementia. Part 3 Special issues in care: working with the family; making change work - understanding concepts and strategies; legal and ethical issues; programme evaluation; future challenges and considerations.

People with mid-stage dementia are served by special care units in long-term care facilities, although as these residents deteriorate, they are transferred out of the unit and into a general nursing home unit. These nursing homes are not equipped to deal with palliative needs of end-stage dementia care. The book addresses those needs. With this in mind, Part One examines the stages of dementia (end-stage in particular). Other chapters in this section provide background on the hospice movement and hospice concepts; the idea of maintaining personhood; and administration of a late-stage care unit. Part Two focuses on treatment approaches for common needs in end-stage dementia - medical and physical care; a supportive environment; the fundamentals of care; psychopharmacology; and therapeutic activities. Part 3 contains chapters on family-centred care; legal and ethical issues; programme evaluation; and future opportunities.