What is a common goal of care for individuals in advanced Alzheimer's disease?

Maintaining the highest quality of life possible is a central goal of care for individuals in advanced Alzheimer's disease. In the later stages of this condition, individuals often experience significant cognitive and functional decline, which can severely impact their ability to perform daily activities and engage with their environment. Therefore, caregivers and healthcare providers prioritize interventions that enhance comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being.

Fostering quality of life encompasses a range of strategies, including providing a safe and supportive environment, engaging individuals in meaningful activities, and ensuring their physical and emotional needs are met. This approach can involve personalized care plans that respect the individual’s preferences, facilitate social interactions, and support sensory stimulation, all of which contribute to overall quality of life.

While promoting independence is a worthy aspiration in earlier stages of Alzheimer’s, as the disease progresses, a more realistic focus is placed on support and care that enhances the individual’s remaining abilities rather than pushing for independence that may no longer be achievable. With regards to medication management, while it is important, it does not encompass the broader, holistic approach to care that focuses on quality of life. Moreover, preparing for end-of-life procedures is also significant, but it is generally considered part of a broader end-of-life care plan rather than a primary goal