Identification of the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia [ 2009 - 2009 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Barbara Anderson (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Richard Norman ,  Dr Mary Brooksbank ,  Geoff March ,  Micahel Briffa
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Brief description This project seeks to identify the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia. Although the need for home-based palliative care may apply to people with dementia as well as to those with cancer and other terminal illnesses, few people with end-stage dementia receive such care. For this reason, people with dementia may experience suffering and unmet needs towards the end of life. The proposed research is important because as the population ages and the prevalence of dementia increases, home-based care will be the preferred option for many people. Palliative care practice however is not necessarily transferable between cancer care and dementia care. The needs of people with end-stage dementia may be different to those of people with cancers because of the different trajectories and symptoms experienced. There is evidence to suggest that a palliative care approach in dementia is favoured by formal and informal carers, however the preferences of people with dementia are not known. Understanding the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia, carers and care providers is required, hence the motivation for this inquiry.

Funding Amount $AUD 50,000.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Strategic Awards

Notes Palliative Care Research