Multidisciplinary Home-Based Palliative Care for People Living with Dementia: Preliminary Findings on Palliative Care Concerns and Caregiver Burden

We describe the complex care needs faced by families in dementia care and specialized multidisciplinary palliative care delivered through home visits as a feasible way to support advancing stages of dementia. Participants with confirmed diagnosis of dementia were enrolled in home-based care as part of the neuropalliative and supportive care services. Disease severity, functionality, palliative care concerns, and caregiver burden were assessed at intake and three months at their homes. Forty-seven participants were enrolled. The mean age of participants was 65.48 (13.12); with more female patients (<i>n</i> = 27; 57%). 34/47 (72%) completed the reassessment. Moderate levels of caregiver burden were reported at 31.57 (17.9), range 18-80 at baseline, which showed a slight increase at three months follow-up, though palliative care concerns significantly reduced (Cohen's d = 1.16). Multidisciplinary home-based palliative care is feasible and can reduce the palliative care concerns in dementia. Further longitudinal studies with robust methodology are needed to explore the specific outcomes.