Criteria for referral to specialized palliative care for patients with dementia
Keywords:
Palliative care, dementia, pharmacological therapyAbstract
Identifying the appropriate time for this type of care involves recognizing the progressive deterioration of the disease and the emergence of advanced symptoms that affect the patient's quality of life, including psychiatric disorders, loss of function, and communication and feeding difficulties. In the early stages, pharmacological management can contribute to patient stability; however, in advanced stages, care should focus on comfort and reducing suffering. Assessing quality of life is essential in making decisions about timely referral to palliative care, considering the patient's physical, emotional, and social well-being, as well as the impact on their caregivers. The role of primary care is fundamental in the early detection and ongoing assessment of these cases. Factors such as malnutrition and social isolation can influence the progression of dementia, and in the final stages, the priority is to provide care centered on dignity, respect, and relief from patient suffering.
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