Good Death of Dying Elderly Patients with and without Comorbid Dementia from the Perspective of Bereaved Family Members
- VernacularTitle:終末期高齢者の望ましい死の達成の遺族による評価:認知症併存の有無での比較と関連要因
- Author:
Kazuki Sato
;
Arisa Kikuchi
;
Mitsunori Miyashita
;
Hiroya Kinoshita
- Keywords: dementia; terminal care; palliative care; Quality of Life
- From:Palliative Care Research 2017;12(1):149-158
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate good death (end-of-life quality of life) from the perspective of bereaved family members. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous, self-report questionnaire survey for bereaved family members by web survey. Outcomes were achievement of a good death (Good Death Inventory, GDI). We compared the outcomes between with and without dementia. Results: 163 and 224 dying elderly patients with and without comorbid dementia were analyzed from bereaved family members’ responses. The achievement of good death were significantly different (GDI scores, 4.2±1.0, 4.4±0.9, Adj P=0.053) as regards “maintaining hope and pleasure,” “good relationship with family,” and “independence.” Conclusion: The achievement of good death was not significantly different between the dying elderly patients with and without comorbid dementia. Psychosocial care for informal caregivers would be important for better quality of dying in the terminally ill elderly patients with dementia.