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Effects Of Palliative Care On Quality Of Life For People With Dementia And Their Informal Caregivers, Sara S. Martin

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Dementia is a leading cause of debility and dependence and its incidence is increasing exponentially as the global population ages. Despite the terminal nature of dementia, the end-of-life process is often poorly recognized due to a prolonged decline and cognitive deficits. As a result, people with dementia may be subject to health care interventions that have questionable efficacy and may not align with their wishes. Palliative care, a plan of care that prioritizes comfort, is becoming more widely utilized for patients with chronic illnesses such as dementia. Purpose: The purpose of this critical review of the literature is to …