Challenges in advanced dementia

[Extract] This chapter presents the significant challenges in practice health professionals’ face in providing care to people with advanced dementia. These challenges constitute all facets of care giving inclusive of physical, psychological and spiritual care. Worldwide advanced dementia is an increasingly burdensome health issue. People with advanced dementia have substantial care needs at the end of their life (Birch & Stokoe, 2010). The Alzheimer's Disease International report (2010) stated there were 35.6 million people living with dementia. The report estimates the number of people living with dementia worldwide will increase to 65.7 million by 2030 and 115.4 million by 2050 (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2010). Further the majority of people will live in low and middle income countries (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2010). In 2010, the financial burden of dementia was costed at US$ 604 billion (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2010). The Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2010 report predicts that “these costs account for around 1% of the world’s gross domestic product, varying from 0.24% in low income countries, to 0.35% in low, middle income countries, 0.50% in high, middle income countries, and 1.24% in high income countries” (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2010, p.5).