TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  van der Steen, Jenny T.
AU  -  Klapwijk, Maartje S.
AU  -  Achterberg, Wilco P.
T1  -  Palliative care and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing home residents with dementia
PY  -  2020
Y1  -  2020-07-01
DO  -  10.1726/3439.34275
JO  -  Rivista Italiana di Cure Palliative
JA  -  Riv It Cure Palliative
VL  -  22
IS  -  3
SP  -  129
EP  -  139
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2532-9790
Y2  -  2026/05/15
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1726/3439.34275
N2  -  Summary. COVID-19 and infection control measures have impacted greatly on nursing homes, with particular concerns about residents with dementia and at the end of life. We examined how three important issues in palliative care in dementia – advance care planning, connecting with family, and challenging behaviour – are affected by the pandemic. We drew on the literature, particularly a systematic review on palliative care in dementia in relation to COVID-19 which identified advance care planning as the most prominent theme. Advance decisions about hospitalization are preferably made with all involved in advance of a pandemic, and to avoid misconceptions, healthcare professionals should explain what palliative care can offer in the nursing home. Additionally, we analysed data on family visits and agitation from a longitudinal study on nursing home residents with dementia in the Netherlands. A first assessment was conducted just before a national visitor lockdown of nursing homes March 20th, 2020. We separately analysed changes with a second assessment during the lockdown period through June 14th (n=44 residents) or outside this period (n=17). We found less agitation during lockdown, while unchanged when assessed outside the lockdown period. Physicians reported COVID-19 impacted on treatment and care of 57% of residents due to limited family visits, less opportunity to go around, staff availability and activities offered, and decreased quality of care. However, impact was highly individual with also cases with no or positive impact, staff having more time for individual support. The findings may inspire further research on how to better individualize palliative dementia care.
ER  -