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Dobbs D, Yauk J, Vogel CE, Fanfan D, Buck H, Haley WE, Meng H. Feasibility of the Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living Intervention for Dementia Care Providers: A Cluster Randomized Trial. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2024; 64:gnad018. [PMID: 36842068 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnad018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) is a major cause of death in the United States. While effective interventions have been developed to deliver palliative care to nursing home residents with ADRD, little work has identified effective interventions to reach assisted living (AL) residents with dementia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS One hundred and eighteen AL residents with dementia from 10 different ALs in Florida participated. A pilot study using a cluster randomized trial was conducted, with 6 sites randomized to receive a palliative care educational intervention for staff (N = 23) to deliver care to residents; 4 sites were usual care. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed by examining recruitment, retention, and treatment fidelity at 6 months. Cohen's d statistic was used to calculate facility-level treatment effect sizes on key outcomes (documentation of advance care planning [ACP] discussions, hospice admission, and documentation of pain screening). RESULTS The intervention proved feasible with high ratings of treatment fidelity. The intervention also demonstrated preliminary evidence for efficacy of the intervention, with effect sizes for the treatment group over 0.80 for increases in documentation of ACP discussions compared to the control group. Hospice admissions had a smaller effect size (0.16) and documentation of pain screenings had no effect. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS The pilot results suggest that the intervention shows promise as a resource for educating and empowering AL staff on implementing person-centered palliative care delivery to persons with dementia in AL. A larger, fully powered randomized trial is needed to test for its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra Dobbs
- School of Aging Studies, Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jessica Yauk
- School of Aging Studies, Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Carlyn E Vogel
- School of Aging Studies, Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Dany Fanfan
- College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Harleah Buck
- College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - William E Haley
- School of Aging Studies, Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Hongdao Meng
- School of Aging Studies, Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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2
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van der Steen JT, van Leussen CA, Ballentine J, Gribben L, Reid J, Hasson F, Brazil K, The BAM, McLaughlin D. Implementing Palliative Care Teams Specialized in Dementia in Two Countries: Experiences of Failure and Success. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 91:551-557. [PMID: 36463448 PMCID: PMC9912720 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Much is known about palliative care needs of persons with dementia and their family. Less is known about how to successfully implement models that address those needs. We present specialist models in the Netherlands (2017-2018) and Northern Ireland (2016-2017) contrasting its evaluations. From implementation failure in the Netherlands compared with successful implementation in Northern Ireland, we learn that recognizing roles and competencies among all involved is essential in developing effective partnership relationships. All of this is facilitated by referral before the end of life and offering various training programs and in-patient and out-patient services and therapies to show benefits early.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands,Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands,Correspondence to: Jenny T. van der Steen, PhD, MSc, FGSA, Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Hippocratespad 21, Gebouw 3, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 6 11758240; E-mail: . ORCID: 0000-0002-9063-7501
| | | | - Joanne Ballentine
- Project Lead of Hospice Enabled Dementia Partnership, Northern Ireland Hospice, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Loretta Gribben
- Policy and Practice Royal College of Nursing NI, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Joanne Reid
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Felicity Hasson
- Institute of Nursing and Health Research, School of Nursing, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
| | - Kevin Brazil
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | | | - Dorry McLaughlin
- Formerly Lecturer in Palliative Care and Chronic Illness, School of Nursing and Midwifery & Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Sternberg SA, Shinan-Altman S, Volicer L, Casarett DJ, van der Steen JT. Palliative Care in Advanced Dementia: Comparison of Strategies in Three Countries. Geriatrics (Basel) 2021; 6:44. [PMID: 33922208 PMCID: PMC8167764 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics6020044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Palliative care including hospice care is appropriate for advanced dementia, but policy initiatives and implementation have lagged, while treatment may vary. We compare care for people with advanced dementia in the United States (US), The Netherlands, and Israel. We conducted a narrative literature review and expert physician consultation around a case scenario focusing on three domains in the care of people with advanced dementia: (1) place of residence, (2) access to palliative care, and (3) treatment. We found that most people with advanced dementia live in nursing homes in the US and The Netherlands, and in the community in Israel. Access to specialist palliative and hospice care is improving in the US but is limited in The Netherlands and Israel. The two data sources consistently showed that treatment varies considerably between countries with, for example, artificial nutrition and hydration differing by state in the US, strongly discouraged in The Netherlands, and widely used in Israel. We conclude that care in each country has positive elements: hospice availability in the US, the general palliative approach in The Netherlands, and home care in Israel. National Dementia Plans should include policy regarding palliative care, and public and professional awareness must be increased.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shiri Shinan-Altman
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel;
| | - Ladislav Volicer
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA;
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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4
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Robinson L, Poole M, McLellan E, Lee R, Amador S, Bhattarai N, Bryant A, Coe D, Corbett A, Exley C, Goodman C, Gotts Z, Harrison-Dening K, Hill S, Howel D, Hrisos S, Hughes J, Kernohan A, Macdonald A, Mason H, Massey C, Neves S, Paes P, Rennie K, Rice S, Robinson T, Sampson E, Tucker S, Tzelis D, Vale L, Bamford C. Supporting good quality, community-based end-of-life care for people living with dementia: the SEED research programme including feasibility RCT. PROGRAMME GRANTS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.3310/pgfar08080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background
In the UK, most people with dementia die in the community and they often receive poorer end-of-life care than people with cancer.
Objective
The overall aim of this programme was to support professionals to deliver good-quality, community-based care towards, and at, the end of life for people living with dementia and their families.
Design
The Supporting Excellence in End-of-life care in Dementia (SEED) programme comprised six interlinked workstreams. Workstream 1 examined existing guidance and outcome measures using systematic reviews, identified good practice through a national e-survey and explored outcomes of end-of-life care valued by people with dementia and family carers (n = 57) using a Q-sort study. Workstream 2 explored good-quality end-of-life care in dementia from the perspectives of a range of stakeholders using qualitative methods (119 interviews, 12 focus groups and 256 observation hours). Using data from workstreams 1 and 2, workstream 3 used co-design methods with key stakeholders to develop the SEED intervention. Worksteam 4 was a pilot study of the SEED intervention with an embedded process evaluation. Using a cluster design, we assessed the feasibility and acceptability of recruitment and retention, outcome measures and our intervention. Four general practices were recruited in North East England: two were allocated to the intervention and two provided usual care. Patient recruitment was via general practitioner dementia registers. Outcome data were collected at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 months. Workstream 5 involved economic modelling studies that assessed the potential value of the SEED intervention using a contingent valuation survey of the general public (n = 1002). These data informed an economic decision model to explore how the SEED intervention might influence care. Results of the model were presented in terms of the costs and consequences (e.g. hospitalisations) and, using the contingent valuation data, a cost–benefit analysis. Workstream 6 examined commissioning of end-of-life care in dementia through a narrative review of policy and practice literature, combined with indepth interviews with a national sample of service commissioners (n = 20).
Setting
The workstream 1 survey and workstream 2 included services throughout England. The workstream 1 Q-sort study and workstream 4 pilot trial took place in North East England. For workstream 4, four general practices were recruited; two received the intervention and two provided usual care.
Results
Currently, dementia care and end-of-life care are commissioned separately, with commissioners receiving little formal guidance and training. Examples of good practice rely on non-recurrent funding and leadership from an interested clinician. Seven key components are required for good end-of-life care in dementia: timely planning discussions, recognising end of life and providing supportive care, co-ordinating care, effective working with primary care, managing hospitalisation, continuing care after death, and valuing staff and ongoing learning. Using co-design methods and the theory of change, the seven components were operationalised as a primary care-based, dementia nurse specialist intervention, with a care resource kit to help the dementia nurse specialist improve the knowledge of family and professional carers. The SEED intervention proved feasible and acceptable to all stakeholders, and being located in the general practice was considered beneficial. None of the outcome measures was suitable as the primary outcome for a future trial. The contingent valuation showed that the SEED intervention was valued, with a wider package of care valued more than selected features in isolation. The SEED intervention is unlikely to reduce costs, but this may be offset by the value placed on the SEED intervention by the general public.
Limitations
The biggest challenge to the successful delivery and completion of this research programme was translating the ‘theoretical’ complex intervention into practice in an ever-changing policy and service landscape at national and local levels. A major limitation for a future trial is the lack of a valid and relevant primary outcome measure to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that influences outcomes for both individuals and systems.
Conclusions
Although the dementia nurse specialist intervention was acceptable, feasible and integrated well with existing care, it is unlikely to reduce costs of care; however, it was highly valued by all stakeholders (professionals, people with dementia and their families) and has the potential to influence outcomes at both an individual and a systems level.
Future work
There is no plan to progress to a full randomised controlled trial of the SEED intervention in its current form. In view of new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence dementia guidance, which now recommends a care co-ordinator for all people with dementia, the feasibility of providing the SEED intervention throughout the illness trajectory should be explored. Appropriate outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of such a complex intervention are needed urgently.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN21390601.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research, Vol. 8, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Robinson
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Marie Poole
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Emma McLellan
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Richard Lee
- Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sarah Amador
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nawaraj Bhattarai
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew Bryant
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Dorothy Coe
- North East and North Cumbria Local Clinical Research Network, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anne Corbett
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Catherine Exley
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Claire Goodman
- School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Zoe Gotts
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Sarah Hill
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Denise Howel
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Susan Hrisos
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Ashleigh Kernohan
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Helen Mason
- Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christopher Massey
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Paul Paes
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Katherine Rennie
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Professional Services, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Stephen Rice
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tomos Robinson
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Elizabeth Sampson
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Dimitrios Tzelis
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Luke Vale
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Claire Bamford
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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van der Steen JT, Lennaerts H, Hommel D, Augustijn B, Groot M, Hasselaar J, Bloem BR, Koopmans RTCM. Dementia and Parkinson's Disease: Similar and Divergent Challenges in Providing Palliative Care. Front Neurol 2019; 10:54. [PMID: 30915012 PMCID: PMC6421983 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia and Parkinson's disease are incurable neurological conditions. Patients often experience specific, complex, and varying needs along their disease trajectory. Current management typically employs a multidisciplinary team approach. Recognition is growing that this team approach should also address palliative care issues to optimize quality of life for patient and family caregivers, but it remains unclear how palliative care is best delivered. To inspire future service development and research, we compare the trajectories and conceptualization of palliative care between dementia and Parkinson's disease. Both Parkinson's disease and dementia are characterized by a protracted course, with progressive but fairly insidious development of disability. However, patients with Parkinson's disease may experience relatively stable periods initially but with time, a wide range of debilitating symptoms develops, many of which do not respond well to treatment. Eventually, dementia develops in most Parkinson patients, while motor disability develops in many dementia patients. In both diseases, symptoms such as pain, apathy, sleeping problems, falls, and a high caregiver burden are prevalent. Advance care planning has benefits in terms of being prepared before the disease progresses into a stage with communication problems or severe cognitive impairment. However, for both conditions, the protracted disease trajectories complicate conceptualization of palliative care through different stages of the disease, with pertinent questions such as when to offer what interventions pro-actively. Given the similarities and differences, we should develop palliative approaches that are partially generic and partially disease-specific. These should be integrated seamlessly with disease-specific care. Substantial research is already being performed on dementia palliative care. This may also inform the further development of palliative care for Parkinson's disease, including an evaluation of palliative interventions and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Herma Lennaerts
- Departments of Neurology and Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Danny Hommel
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Groenhuysen Organisation, Roosendaal, Netherlands
| | | | - Marieke Groot
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care/Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Hasselaar
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care/Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan R. Bloem
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Raymond T. C. M. Koopmans
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- De Waalboog “Joachim en Anna, ” Center for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Hsieh PC, Wu SC, Fuh JL, Wang YW, Lin LC. The prognostic predictors of six-month mortality for residents with advanced dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan: A prospective cohort study. Int J Nurs Stud 2019; 96:9-17. [PMID: 30679035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although hospice or palliative care for patients with advanced dementia has been implemented for more than 30 years, few studies have investigated the prognostic predictors of 6-month mortality in these patients. Prognostication has been a major obstacle, and 6-month prognostic predictors for patients with advanced dementia are still considered elusive. OBJECTIVES To better understand the dying trajectories of patients with advanced dementia, we performed a longitudinal prospective cohort study to investigate the predictors of 6-month mortality for residents with advanced dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING This study took place in 32 long-term care facilities selected from northern, central, and southern Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS The study included 320 residents with advanced dementia. MEASUREMENTS Measurements were obtained after determining study eligibility; the participants underwent follow-up assessments once every 3 months for 6 months or died during follow-up. The assessments included demographic characteristics, health and medical status characteristics, and death-related information. The Kaplan-Meier survival function estimation and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to estimate the survival rate and predict the prognostic factors. RESULTS Baseline data from 320 residents with advanced dementia in long-term care facilities were obtained. The mean age was 82.7 years and 61.6% were female. The 6-month survival rate was 78.1%. The major cause of death was multiple organ failure related to pneumonia. The 6-month prognostic predictors were pneumonia (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.56; 95% confidence interval, 2.46-12.6; p-value < .001), reduction in nutrient intake >25% (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.05; 95% confidence interval, 2.37-10.8; p-value < .001), oxygen dependency (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.51-4.39; p-value = .001), treatment for electrolyte abnormalities (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-4.14; p-value = .025), severe pressure injuries (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-3.67; p-value = .018), and long-term indwelling urinary catheters (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.96; p-value = .021). CONCLUSION Our results identified six prognostic predictors of 6-month mortality among residents with advanced dementia in Taiwan. These predictors may serve as risk assessment indicators for nursing staff who provide clinical care and can enable the identification of patients in recognized terminal decline, thereby allowing access to hospice palliative services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chi Hsieh
- School of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shiao-Chi Wu
- Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jong-Ling Fuh
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University Schools of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ying-Wei Wang
- Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, ROC; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Li-Chan Lin
- Institute of Clinical Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
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van der Steen JT, Di Giulio P, Giunco F, Monti M, Gentile S, Villani D, Finetti S, Pettenati F, Charrier L, Toscani F. Pneumonia in Nursing Home Patients With Advanced Dementia: Decisions, Intravenous Rehydration Therapy, and Discomfort. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2017; 35:423-430. [PMID: 28532225 PMCID: PMC5794105 DOI: 10.1177/1049909117709002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comfort may be an appropriate goal in advanced dementia. Longitudinal studies on physician decision-making and discomfort assessed by direct observation are rare, and intravenous rehydration therapy is controversial. METHODS To assess treatment decisions and discomfort in patients with advanced dementia and pneumonia and to compare by intravenous rehydration therapy, we used data from the observational multicenter Italian End of Life Observatory-Prospective Study On DEmentia patients Care. We analyzed 109 episodes of pneumonia, which involved decisions in 77 nursing home patients with Functional Assessment Staging Tool stage 7. We assessed decisions, decision-making, and treatments every fortnight. Trained observers assessed discomfort with the Discomfort Scale-Dementia Alzheimer Type (DS-DAT). RESULTS Most decisions referred to treatment with antibiotics (90%; 98 of 109) and intravenous rehydration therapy (53%; 58 of 109), but hospitalization was rare (1%). Selecting decisions with antibiotics, with rehydration therapy, the prognosis was more frequently <15 days (34% vs 5% without rehydration therapy; P = .001), and a goal to reduce symptoms/suffering was more common (96% vs 74%; P = .005) while there was no difference in striving for life prolongation (a minority). With rehydration therapy, the decision was more often discussed with family rather than communicated only. Mean DS-DAT scores over time proximate to the first decision ranged between 9.2 and 10.5. CONCLUSIONS Italian nursing home patients with advanced dementia and pneumonia frequently received invasive rehydration therapy in addition to antibiotics, however, mostly with a palliative intent. Discomfort was high overall and symptom relief may be improved. Relations between invasive rehydration therapy and discomfort need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Jenny T. van der Steen, PhD, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Hippocratespad 21, Gebouw 3, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Paola Di Giulio
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Giunco
- Istituto “L. Palazzolo”–Fondazione Don Gnocchi, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Monti
- Geriatric Institute “Pio Albergo Trivulzio”–Milano, Italy
| | - Simona Gentile
- Rehabilitation and Alzheimer’s Disease Evaluation Unit, “Ancelle della Carità” Hospital, Cremona, Italy
| | - Daniele Villani
- Neurorehabilitation and Alzheimer’s Disease Evaluation Unit, “Figlie di San Camillo” Hospital, Cremona, Italy
| | - Silvia Finetti
- Lino Maestroni Foundation–Palliative Medicine Research Institute, Cremona, Italy
| | - Francesca Pettenati
- Lino Maestroni Foundation–Palliative Medicine Research Institute, Cremona, Italy
| | - Lorena Charrier
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Franco Toscani
- Lino Maestroni Foundation–Palliative Medicine Research Institute, Cremona, Italy
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