Needs in palliative care in institutionalized people with advanced dementia: A multidimensional approach

Palliative Care is an appropriate typology of care for institutionalized older people with Advanced Dementia. It is necessary to take into account their unique needs and circumstances to guarantee a good quality of life and satisfaction with the health care received. The aim of this study was to identify the needs in Palliative Care associated with institutionalized people with Advanced Dementia. An exploratory two-stage qualitative study was developed. After a narrative literature review, all the phenomena related to the subject were identi'ed as being a possible need in palliative care. This data was discussed and evaluated by two focus group with Portuguese and Spanish experts in the 'elds of Geriatrics, Psycho-geriatrics, Neurology, Geriatric Nursing, Psychology and Continuity Care. The needs in Palliative Care were identi'ed and categorized into seven dimensions: physical, psychological, social, spiritual, economic, legal and environmental. The identi'cation of these needs is the 'rst step to ensure the provision of Palliative Care with quality and adapted to the particularities of each older person institutionalized