Most hospices and palliative care programmes in the USA serve people with dementia; lack of awareness, need for respite care and reimbursement policies are the main barriers to providing this care.

摘要

It is estimated that just under 700 000 people are living with dementia in the UK, with prevalence expected to increase by over 150% by the middle of the 21st century. About 100 000 people with dementia die each year in the UK, and end-of-life experiences for people with dementia and their families are characterised by institutional forms of care, often in acute hospital settings. This article addresses the growing issue of access to palliative care for people with dementia. It seeks to determine the extent of palliative provision within hospice and non-hospice settings across the USA and also explores barriers and priorities to the provision of such services.