Alzheimer's Patients Need End-of-Life Care: A Necessity Neglected
Fatemeh Hajibabaee1 and Hadis Ashrafizadeh2*
1Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2PhD Candidate, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
*Corresponding Author: Hadis Ashrafizadeh, PhD Candidate, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Received:
April 27, 2021; Published: May 29, 2021
Abstract
Due to the rapid growth of the elderly population, one of the most important challenges in this field is the higher prevalence of age-related degenerative diseases. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common disorder with severe and progressive disability in these people, which is eventually referred to as a deadly disease. End-of-life care is care in a situation where the disease leads to death. The purpose of this care is to achieve a good and calm death for the patient, and consolation for the family, therefore, due to the increasing growth of the phenomenon of aging, the high prevalence of this incurable disease, the limitation of special beds, human resources, financial and equipment in medical centers, the provision of end-of-life care is of particular importance. This method of care is considered as one of the important priorities of the health system so that patients and their families can adapt to the disease process and increase their quality of life in the last days of their lives, reduce pain, and experience a quiet death. Therefore, the present study will have a brief overview of the importance of end-of-life care in patients with AD.
Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease; Patient; Dementia
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