The development of end of life care standards for people with end stage dementia (2011)

The aim of this study was to contribute to improving quality of life for people with end stage dementia living in residential care settings by investigating the experiences of elderly spouses whose relatives had recently died with end-stage dementia in nursing homes in both Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI).

In addition, from the data collected, guidelines will be drafted for delivery of quality care in end stage dementia in long stay residential institutions. The drafted guidelines will then be circulated to a multi-disciplinary group of health service professionals across Ireland (four health service professionals in NI and four in RoI) and their views on the guidelines sought.

http://www.cardi.ie/userfiles/End%20of%20life%20standards%20final%20report.pdf

End-of-life care standards for people with dementia

From the CARDI (Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland) Grants Program Research Brief, January 2100, this This briefing is based on the findings of a research project by Cahill et al. (2010), funded under CARDI’s Grants Programme, to identify key issues in end-of-life care for dementia and to produce a set of guidelines for end-of-life care for residents with dementia in care homes in Ireland, North and South.

The authors argue that a set of guidelines to assist nursing homes in developing policies and practices in end-of-life care for residents with dementia may provide a useful basis for comparison with international best practice. The guidelines developed by the authors of the research project may also help individual institutions to
review their practice and delivery of care to this particularly vulnerable group of residents.

http://www.cardi.ie/publications/endoflifecarestandardsforpeoplewithdementia

End-of-Life Recommendations for Leaders

A new Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) article in the January/February 2011 issue of Healthcare Executive presents six leadership actions to more effectively honor patient preferences at the end of life.

In End-of-Life Care: 6 Leadership Actions IHI Vice President Andrea Kabcenell and IHI Senior Fellow Jim Conway offer recommendations based on the American College of Healthcare Executives' recently revised Decisions Near the End of Life Ethical Policy Statement, the work of IHI, and the findings of the Expert Panel on End-of-Life Care in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Encouraging Comfort Care

From the Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter, this  21-page booklet provides useful information to families and long-term care facilities personnel about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages.

The guide will help families make informed choices about a variety of medical decisions they may face on behalf of loved ones with dementia living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of care facilities, and will equip them to ask questions aimed at obtaining the best care for their loved ones, including a handy checklist of comfort care measures to be discussed with staff members of care facilities.

The guide will assist long-term care staff who wish to educate families and assist them in care planning.
http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/pti/comfort_care_guide.asp

Making Difficult Health Care Decisions: A Resource for Albertans

The Provincial Health Network (PHEN) and the Alberta Collaborative Initiative on Decision-Making at the End of Life, have developed a new resource for members of the public, patients, long-term care residents and their families to help with decision-making in times of serious illness or injury.

This book is intended to provide clear information about medical treatments and ethical issues that may arise during these difficult times.

http://www.phen.ab.ca/hopesandwishes/

Common Core Competences and Principles for Health and social care workers working with adults at the end of life

Skills for Care and Skills for Health working in partnership with the Department of Health and the NHS End of Life Care Programme have developed competences and core principles related to end of life care. These common core competences underline the principles that underpin quality end of life care.

This document is a guide to the core skills and knowledge that will equip the workforce to deliver high quality end of life care.

Skills are grouped in four sections: communications; assessment and care planning; symptom management and maintaining comfort; and advance care planning.

http://www.endoflifecareforadults.nhs.uk/eolc/files/NHS-EoLC_Core_competences-Guide-Jul2009.pdf

End of Life Care for People with Dementia

This new report (October, 2009) from the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Unit, University College London (MCPCRU) is based upon: discussions at meetings with health service professionals who have cared for a wide range of people with dementia; conversations with carers of people with dementia; and an analysis of the histories of care received by a small sample of people with dementia. 

The following themes are explored in the report:

• pathway of care
• impact of hospitalization
• financial implications
• advance care planning
• impact on carers
• skills and training
  

 http://www.ncpc.org.uk/download/publications/Dementia_2009_Project.pdf

Current Perspectives Update: End of Life Care

End of Life Care in the J. W. Crane Memorial Library’s Current Perspectives series has been newly updated.

The "Current Perspectives Series" from the J. W. Crane Memorial Library, highlights current articles, books and Internet resources on specific topics of interest to long-term care professionals.

To access End of Life Care and other topics in the series, go to: http://umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/health/links/aging.html#currentpers