The treatment for dementive illnesses (such as Alzheimer’s) in their advanced stages focuses on improving the quality of life and comfort of the patient while relieving pain and other unique disturbing symptoms of dementia such as: psycho-motoric restlessness, difficulties with feeding and nutrition, conditions of fever and the suspicion of infection. There is a high likelihood that palliative care will significantly decrease the patient’s number of hospital admissions. The medical staff will provide tools, guidance and counselling to the family and main carer of the patient. The service is provided by Sabar Health, fully financed by the HMOs for those insured by the HMOs with the agreement. Patients who are not covered by the agreement can obtain the service privately.
Which dementia patients are entitled to palliative care?
Dementive illnesses (Alzheimer’s for example) in their advanced stages are known in Israel as incurable illnesses, and therefore, patients in the advanced stages of dementia are included in the Law for the Terminally Ill and are therefore entitled to receive palliative care (supportive care) as part of Home Hospice, fully financed by the HMOs. Home Hospice admission allows the patients and their families to receive medical and nursing treatment, inclusive social assistance, combined with the tools and support in coping with the challenges the illness brings in its advanced stages.
All types of dementia worsen with time. The term “advanced dementia” refers to the final stages of the illness. On average, this stage arrives 3-9 years from the time of diagnosis. Advanced dementia is considered to be an incurable disease, so patients in the advanced stages are entitled to supportive palliative care at home as part of the Home Hospice program.
Great importance of the home enviroment to a patient with dementia
Even the patient with dementia, despite his cognitive deficits, feels a part of the environment that was part of him for many years – his home. Research from all over the world has demonstrated that when a dementia patient is removed from his natural surroundings a deterioration in both his functional and behavioral condition occurs.
Essentially, the purpose of palliative care in general, and especially in dementia patients, is to improve the quality of life and the comfort of the patient, and to prevent pain and suffering to the patient and his family. The treatment is based on a holistic approach of a multidisciplinary team, whose purpose is to assist the patient and his family in coping with all stages of the illness.
The palliative care includes a multidisciplinary team of a physician, a nurse and a social worker, providing full support to family members and above all, to the main carer, whether that be a family member or a foreign worker.
From our vast experience in treating dementive patients, we can provide you with the professional, clinical and social tools that will enable quality of life and comfort for the family as well, and respond to all queries that arise during the different stages of the disease and especially during the advanced stage.
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