It is important to think about where the person with dementia will be cared for at the end of life. People with advanced dementia often need 24-hour care, so you may want to consider support from paid home carers or a move into residential care. This can be a very difficult decision but if the person has professional support, you can focus on spending time together while being confident their care needs are met.
Social services can arrange a needs assessment for the person with dementia and a carer’s assessment for you to establish what support would be beneficial.
Some people with dementia are admitted to hospital towards the end of life, and some will die there. While this may not be what you or the person wanted, you can still be involved in their care, so speak to staff about their needs and preferences and how you can support them.
There may be a local hospice that can support you and the person you care for – for example by helping with symptom management to keep them as comfortable as possible, whether that is at home or in the hospice itself. Your GP can advise about local hospices and palliative care provision.
Keep in mind that decisions about the person’s care may need to be revisited if their needs change.