Dementia

This chapter will outline the current incidence and prevalence of dementia globally, risk factors and describe the most common types of dementia and how they present. The challenges of defining advanced dementia and how these relate to palliative care will be explored. The principles of a biopsychosocial and spiritual approach to palliative dementia care and the relationship these have with person and relationship centred care will be discussed. The chapter will then move on to explore the difference dementia makes when providing complex fundamental and palliative care. It will look at some interventions we can use provide to care that meets not only the complex fundamental care needs but also minimises the stress and distress that often comes with living with a neurodegenerative condition.