The dementia patient’s pathway through the specialist palliative care services part I

An estimated 7.3 million Europeans in 27 member states between 30 and 99 years of age suffered from different types of dementias in 2006, corresponding to 14.6 per 1,000 inhabitants. Within this group, more women (4.9 million) than men (2.4 million) were affected.¹ Traditionally, the hospice model of care and funding was developed for patients with a diagnosis of cancer. However, since patients can experience similar symptoms at the end of life, irrespective of whether they have a malignant or a non-malignant disease, it is appropriate that all individuals with a life-limiting illness should have access to hospice and specialist palliative care (SPC) services. In various countries there is limited awareness of the availability of such services for non-cancer patients.