Doctors need guidance in end of life dementia care

Alzheimer's Society comment

'This guidance is a good start towards addressing the needs of people at the end of their lives but it does not go far enough to tackle the specific needs of people with dementia.'

'It is good to see the GMC emphasising the need for doctors to weigh up the benefits of starting or withdrawing treatment; that clinicians should presume someone has the capacity to make decisions; and the importance of dealing with family members in a sensitive manner. However dementia is not adequately addressed in the report despite the fact that one in three people over 65 will die with the devastating condition.'

'People with dementia have specific end of life care needs and too many are subjected to an undignified and unnecessarily painful death. We need dementia-specific guidance for clinicians if we are to ensure people with dementia get the dignity they deserve at the end of their lives.'   

Andrew Chidgey
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
Alzheimer's Society

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• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just 15 years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
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• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk