Palliative care and dementia

This information is sourced from Dr Ros Taylor 

There are 3 key touch points between palliative care services and dementia care

  1. Advance care planning in the early stages when people still have capacity.  Many hospices do offer support for these essential conversations about future wishes and preferences for care.

  2. During the last days when palliative care teams can support difficult ethical decisions and symptom management. These are often related to feeding and agitation. Some hospices also offer respite admission to support carers and families.

  3. Throughout the illness, hospices and palliative care teams can signpost to services to support family carers with co-ordination of care, practical and emotional support.

Where else to get support and advice

On our Caring at home - practical tips page we have compiled a list of highly recommended resources on how to manage every day tasks (such as helping someone to wash) through to how to approach difficult practical issues in the last days (such as eating and drinking).

Marie Curie have a one page summary for clinicians on key issues when caring for patients with dementia towards the end of life - such as pain and nutrition.

Some hospices in North West London offer advance care planning groups or respite admission to support carers and families.  Please see the service directory.

Dementia UK. Admiral Nurses can provide information, advice and support with any aspect of dementia.

The Alzheimer's Society offer practical help and emotional support to people living with dementia and their carers.

Recommended Resources

Marie Curie - Caring for someone with dementia who is near the end of life

Published 4th October 2023

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Related Services

24 hour Advice Line Michael Sobell Hospice
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24 hour Advice Line Michael Sobell Hospice

T. 0203 824 1268

Offers support and advice on palliative care issues to GPs, Care Homes, District Nurses and hospital doctors.

It is also an Advice Line for patients and families who live in Hillingdon and need advice on any aspect of palliative care. 

The Advice Line is answered by hospice nurses in the Inpatient Unit and queries are escalated to the on-call palliative medical team if needed.

Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline
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The Admiral Nurses at Dementia UK provide information, advice and support with any aspect of dementia.

The specialist dementia nurses offer free and confidential support via the Helpline for you when you need help.

Alzheimer’s Society
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The Alzheimer's Society dementia advisors can help people living with dementia and their carers. They can provide practical help and emotional support via the telephone support or the online community connecting those in similar situations.

Carers Trust Hillingdon
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Carers Trust Hillingdon offer support and guidance to unpaid carers of all ages throughout the London Borough of Hillingdon.

They provide information, advice, training and support and a range of Fact Sheets on their website.

Telephone advice centre open every day 10am to 4pm or email with enquiry to email address above.

Benefits and legal advice also available.

They have a team specifically to support young carers.

Marie Curie
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Marie Curie provide support for patients and carers through terminal illness.

Find information and support through the telephone helpline and online chat via their website.

Other services include Marie Curie nurses, Hospice care, helper and companion services.

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