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Neurocognitive Behavioral Disorders pp 135–155Cite as

Frailty, Resilience, and Palliative Care Considerations for those Living with Dementia

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Abstract

Dementia is a chronic life-limiting illness. It has become one of the most dreaded diagnoses in the western world and has even been referred to as the “D word.” Care for those living with dementia has evolved to become more person-centered and person-directed. Frailty is a concept used to describe older adults at risk of multisystem decline. At times frailty has even been conceptualized as the loss of resilience. Resilience is not the opposite of frailty though, and older adults with dementia can be supported to become more resilient even as their illness advances. Support of resilience through care planning represents true person-centered care. Person-centered care is extremely challenging if conversations regarding the goals of care have not occurred. Palliative care focused on alleviating suffering should be considered and implemented in the care plan at the diagnosis of all life-limiting disease. Advanced dementia is a terminal illness and is a time to consider shifting the focus of care to decreasing suffering. This allows support for the person living with dementia and those who care for them.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA

    Maureen C. Nash

  2. Providence ElderPlace Oregon, Portland, OR, USA

    Maureen C. Nash

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  1. Maureen C. Nash
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Maureen Nash

  2. School of Occupational Therapy, Pacific University, Hillsboro, OR, USA

    Sarah Foidel

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Nash, M.C. (2019). Frailty, Resilience, and Palliative Care Considerations for those Living with Dementia. In: Nash, M., Foidel, S. (eds) Neurocognitive Behavioral Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11268-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11268-4_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-11267-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-11268-4

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