Challenges in home care at the end stage of dementia: Hospice units vs. home care units. A qualitative study

Death Stud. 2022;46(7):1667-1677. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1829748. Epub 2020 Oct 10.

Abstract

Home hospice units specializing in palliative end-of-life care are uncommon despite the theoretical benefit for people with end stage dementia (PWESD). We described the challenges of caring for PWESD and their families using 24 semi-structured in-depth interviews with professional staff members from two care settings-home hospice units and home care units-in Israel. Staff described end-of-life care for PWESD in four sub-themes: dementia as an end-stage disease; appropriateness of palliative care for PWESD; a family member at the center of care; and "dying-in-place" versus hospitalization. Our findings may enable better services and quality of care for PWESD living at home.

MeSH terms

  • Dementia* / therapy
  • Home Care Services*
  • Hospice Care*
  • Hospices*
  • Humans
  • Palliative Care
  • Qualitative Research
  • Terminal Care*