Palliative Care Approaches in Dementia Management

Palliative care in dementia management has evolved to address the unique trajectory of a progressive neurodegenerative syndrome that impairs memory, cognition and functional capacity. Rather than being confined to the terminal phase, integration of palliative principles spans early diagnosis through to end-of-life, with emphasis on symptom control, psychosocial support and preservation of dignity. Key elements include systematic assessment of pain and non-pain symptoms, management of behavioural and psychological disturbances, comprehensive communication with patients and families, and coordination across community, acute and long-term care settings. Multidisciplinary teams draw on neurology, geriatrics, psychiatry, nursing and allied health to tailor interventions to individual needs, cultural contexts and care goals. Advance care planning is promoted as a dynamic conversation that empowers people with dementia to express values and preferences before decisional capacity declines. Family and informal carers are recognised as essential partners, requiring education, psychosocial support and respite provision. Global demographic shifts underscore the importance of equitable access to palliative dementia services in low- and middle-income regions, where resource constraints demand innovative service models. Collectively, these approaches aim to optimise quality of life, alleviate distressing symptoms, reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and align care with the values of people living with dementia and their carers.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Palliative Care Approaches in Dementia Management publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in palliative care approaches in dementia management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Palliative care: specialised medical care focusing on relief of pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness.

Dementia: chronic, progressive neurocognitive disorder affecting memory, thinking and behaviour.

Advance care planning (ACP): process enabling individuals to define, discuss and record preferences for future medical care.

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): range of non-cognitive disturbances such as agitation, depression and psychosis.

Person-centred care: approach that tailors care to the individual’s values, needs and preferences.

References

1. Empowering informal caregivers and nurses to take a person-centred view: adaptation and clinical utility of the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS-Dem) for use in acute and community care settings. BMC Geriatrics (2024).
2. Association between advance care planning and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling people with dementia: An observational cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
3. A meta-review and synthesis of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for people living with dementia nearing the end of life and their family carers. International Psychogeriatrics (2025).