Feasibility of interventions and goals of care change as dementia progresses. An Advanced Care Directive should take this into account.
As examples:
- In early-and mid-stage dementia, hospitalization may still be wanted and helpful. In late-stage dementia, hospitalization may create more harm than benefit.
- Some people want to avoid antibiotics or have their pacemaker deactivated when they have late-state dementia.
End of Life Washington has an easy-to-use directive:
https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/en/advance-directive-living-dementia
For more information, call our providers at 360-814-5550 or email:
- Erika Pope: [email protected]
- Lissa Anderson: [email protected]
- Leslie Estep: [email protected]
- Anita Meyer: [email protected]
All Palliative Pearls and other resources can be found by clicking Providers at the top of this page.
If you would like to receive monthly Palliative Pearls via email, please email Pam Putney at [email protected].
