Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among elderly. In Taiwan, there are at least 300,000 people live with dementia. However, only 1.64% of people with dementia received palliative care. In this paper, we describe a real-world experience of palliative care for people with advanced dementia.

Case report.

Mrs. H, A 90-year-old illiterate woman, was referred to Home Care team after several admissions for urinary tract infection. Her past medical history included cerebral infarction with left hemiparesis 4 years ago. Over one year prior our first visit, her family had begun to notice a problem with her recent memory. Thorough investigation for dementia was arranged. She scored 11/30 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. Mixed Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia was impressed.

The Home Care service consisted of a once-monthly visit by physician and nurse. In the first year of service, we delivered active directed treatment for dementia. We also discussed nonpharmacological approaches for dealing with physical and behavior symptoms in each visit.

Then Mrs. H was hospitalized again due to fever and abdominal pain. Abdominal aortic aneurysm was diagnosed along with urinary tract infection. She had hypoactive delirium for two months after discharge. Meanwhile, Home Care team arranged a family meeting to discuss prognosis and appropriateness of palliative care. In the following two years, we focused on deprescribing and interventions for pain, dyspnea, eating problem, infection, and agitation to promote Mrs. H’s comfort and quality of life. Psychological support was crucial to facilitate continuity in carer and care setting. Mrs.H did not have burdensome transition anymore and passed away peacefully at home as her preference.

The need for palliative care in dementia is anticipated to increase over the next decades in Taiwan. In the patient presented, Home Care team acknowledged and offered palliative care to help her to live as comfortably as possible until death and to help carers cope during the course. A multidisciplinary health care is highly recommended for complex needs in dementia.