What Is End of Life Care With Dementia?

When a loved one living with dementia approaches the final stages of their journey, understanding end of life care becomes far more than a practical necessity. It represents an opportunity to provide profound comfort, maintain dignity, and honour the person's life in deeply meaningful ways. For families navigating this difficult time, having compassionate guidance and understanding can transform what might feel overwhelming into a journey of love and connection.

At KYN, we recognise that end of life care for someone living with dementia requires exceptional skill, infinite patience, and a deep understanding of both the condition and the individual. This article explores what palliative care means for people living with dementia, how to recognise when someone is approaching this stage, the comprehensive support available, and how specialist care homes like KYN provide exceptional care during this profound time.

What Does End of Life Care for Dementia Mean?

End-of-life care for people living with dementia should focus on compassion, comfort, and dignity. Unlike standard medical care that may focus on treatment and cure, end of life care shifts towards ensuring the person's comfort and quality of life in their remaining time. It aims to honour the individual's dignity whilst providing relief from symptoms and supporting both the person and their family through this difficult time.

How Do You Know When Someone Living with Dementia Is Nearing the End?

However, this is very individual and often difficult to predict, so it is better to focus on their needs rather than on how long they have left to live. Recognising when someone living with dementia is approaching the end of life can help families prepare and ensure appropriate care is in place. Some symptoms of later-stage dementia can suggest the person is reaching the final stage of their condition.  Common signs that may indicate someone is nearing the end include:

• Reduced appetite - loss of interest in food and drink, or refusing it completely
• Swallowing difficulties - coughing/throat-clearing; taking a long time to chew food; choking; storing food in their mouth
• Frequent infections are common towards the end of life, especially chest infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Each person's journey is unique, and some may live with late-stage symptoms for months or even years.

What Support Is Available During End of Life Care?

Comprehensive support during end of life care involves multiple elements working together to ensure the person's comfort and dignity. Understanding these different aspects can help families know what to expect and what to ask for.

Medical and Nursing Support

Whether a person is just living with dementia or with other health conditions alongside, it is essential that they receive supportive, respectful end of life care. This often involves a shift away from treatments that may cause distress or have limited benefit, focusing instead on comfort. Medical professionals focus on managing symptoms such as pain, breathing difficulties, and anxiety, whilst ensuring the person remains as comfortable as possible.

Nutritional Care

At the end of life, people may have a reduced appetite or not want to eat or drink at all. This can be hard to accept, but it is a natural part of the dying process. Their care team might suggest focusing on giving food and drink for comfort and enjoyment, rather than nutrition.

Emotional and Spiritual Support

When a person is in the later stages of living with dementia and nearing the end of their life, their care should be based around how they are feeling, and any cultural, spiritual or religious beliefs and practices. This holistic approach ensures that care addresses not just physical needs but also emotional and spiritual wellbeing, providing comfort to both the person and their family.

How Do Care Homes Provide End of Life Care?

Specialist dementia care homes are uniquely equipped to provide compassionate end of life care. Their approach combines professional expertise with a deep understanding of each resident's individual needs and wishes. A key aspect of good end of life care is giving people living with dementia and their families opportunities and support to talk and share their wishes and preferences and what matters to them. Care homes facilitate these important conversations and ensure that residents' preferences are documented and respected. At KYN, our approach to end of life care reflects our commitment to treating each person with dignity and compassion. Our trained staff understand the complexities of living with dementia and provide personalised support that honours each individual's journey. We work closely with families to ensure everyone feels supported during this difficult time.

Finding Compassionate End of Life Care at KYN

Reducing stress and enhancing comfort and quality of life is essential to good dementia care. At KYN, we understand that end of life care for someone living with dementia requires exceptional compassion, expertise, and dedication. Our luxury care homes provide environments where residents can experience comfort, dignity, and peace in their final days, surrounded by caring professionals who understand their unique needs. If you're seeking information about dementia care or would like to discuss how KYN can support your loved one, we're here to help. Reach out to us today to arrange a confidential discussion about your family's needs.