The experience of dying with dementia: A retrospective study
M. McCarthy
Bok Engelsk 1997
| Utgitt | 1997
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| Omfang | Side 404- 409
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| Opplysninger | Objective. To describe the last year of life of people with dementia,their symptoms, care needs, use of and satisfaction with healthservices and the bereavement state of the respondent.Methods. The study is drawn from the Regional Study of Care for theDying, a retrospective sample survey of the carers, family members orothers who knew about the last year of life of a random sample ofpeople age 15 and over dying in the last quarter of 1990. The sampleswere drawn in 20 English health districts which, although self-selected, were nationally representative. There was a total of 3696patients (response rate of 69%) dying from all causes. Within thissample, 170 dementia patients were identified and compared with 1513cancer patients.Results. The symptoms most commonly reported in the last year weremental confusion (83%), urinary incontinence (72%), pain (64%), lowmood (61%), constipation (59%) and loss of appetite (57%). Dementiapatients saw their GP less often than cancer patients and theirrespondents rated GP assistance less highly. Dementia patients neededmore help at home compared with cancer patients, and received moresocial services; 78% of respondents for dementia patients and 64% forcancer said they had come to terms with the patient's death.Conclusion. Patients dying from dementia have symptoms and healthcare needs comparable with cancer patients. Greater attention shouldbe given to these needs. ((C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)
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