Buckland - Palliative care dementia interface project

Palliative care dementia interface project

Buckland was involved in an innovative and creative project of research with the University of Western Sydney and the Sydney West Area Health Service during 2005 and 2006 to investigate the palliative care needs of residential aged care residents with dementia in the final stages of the disease.

The research project allowed Buckland staff, residents and the residents' families to work together in cooperation with a dedicated team of researchers and health professionals in developing a model of care that would enhance the care and services provided to aged people with a diagnosis of dementia who were in the final stages of that illness.

The developing model has provided Buckland with a capacity to educate and train its staff in the identification of pain and discomfort in residents unable to verbally express their experience of pain and to utilise assessment tools that allow for the effective use of a number of pain relief strategies.

During the project the research group developed a family information booklet that provides family members with an overview of the course of the condition, including the final stages of dementia. To complement the booklet, a poster was also developed showing the trajectory of dementia and the most common symptoms and changes that occur over time. The team also developed a pain assessment and management flowchart that allows the nurses to easily follow a series of steps to identify pain in cognitively impaired residents and intervene to manage the pain and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

Most importantly staff were provided with training and skills that allowed them to gain a greater understanding of the needs of residents and their families in the final stages of the disease. This understanding has lead to greatly enhanced outcomes for all concerned with residents being provided with dignified and respectful final care and deaths, and families left with a legacy of memories that pay tribute to the passing of their loved one in an environment that respected them as individuals with specific needs that were willingly met. For the staff the knowledge of adequately caring for these residents with true understanding and enhanced skills has greatly improved their own self esteem and the satisfaction of a 'job well done'.

The photo (above) is of resident Cissie Skinner who was a participant in the palliative care dementia interface project. This photo was taken several months before she peacefully passed away in the presence of her loving family.