Description:
Advanced dementia is a terminal condition for which palliative care is appropriate, however, knowing when to initiate this process can be challenging. Clinical indicators such as recurrent aspiration pneumonia, recurrent fevers and eating difficulties accompanied by significant weight loss, can be useful for predicting life expectancy, although there is often variability. Therefore, focusing on the person’s goals of care and quality of life, rather than life expectancy (i.e. quantity of life) should guide when a palliative approach be considered.