Nurse-led support improves dementia care at end of life

Authors:
THOMPSELL Amanda, EASTON Nicola, STACPOOLE Min
Journal article citation:
Journal of Dementia Care, 19(6), November 2011, pp.18-19.
Publisher:
Hawker

The modernisation initiative ‘End of Life Care Programme’, 2008-2011, aims to improve end of life care for people with dementia in Lambeth and Southwark, London. The ‘Nurse Facilitator for End of Life Care’ role was created to encourage and support best practice, and combine end of life care with dementia care skills. The role provided an opportunity to effect lasting change by enhancing the skills of care staff, which was deemed a necessity in care homes because of the high turnover of care staff. The facilitator worked closely alongside nurses and care staff in several ways, through observation and sharing tasks. Advice from the facilitator led to improved pain management in numerous cases, resulting in a decrease in distressing client behaviour. The role has demonstrated that end of life care does not require specialist input, but rather is the responsibility of carers, which was aided by the End of Life Care Programme.

Subject terms:
nurses, older people, dementia, end of life care;
Content type:
practice example
Location(s):
England
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN print:
1351-8372

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