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Background: Palliative care is identified internationally as a priority for efficacious dementia care. Research into "effective models" of palliative care for people with dementia has been recommended by several European countries. To build an effective service-delivery model we must gain an understanding of existing models used in similar settings. The study aim is to identify core components of extant models of palliative care for people with dementia, and their families, who are living at home in the community. Methods: A scoping review was employed. The search strategy was devised to identify all peer-reviewed research papers relating to the above aim. This process was iterative, and the search strategy was refined as evidence emerged and was reviewed. All types of study designs and both quantitative and qualitative studies of non-pharmacological interventions were considered for inclusion. Results: The search identified 2,754 unique citations, of which 18 papers were deemed eligible for inclusion. Although a palliative care approach is recommended from early in the disease process, most evidence involves end-of-life care or advanced dementia and pertains to residential care. The majority of the research reviewed focused on the effects of advance care planning, and end-of-life care; specialist palliative care input, and/or generalist palliative care provided by dementia services to enable people to remain at home and to reduce costs of care. Community staff training in palliative care appeared to improve engagement with Specialist Palliative Care teams. Integration of dementia and palliative care services was found to improve care received for people with dementia and their carers. Conclusions: While the evidence for integration of dementia and palliative care services is promising, further high-quality research is necessary particularly to identify the key components of palliative care for people living with dementia. This is imperative to enable people with dementia to inform their own care, to stay living at home for as long as possible, and, where appropriate, to die at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Model for Dementia Palliative Care Project will develop a service delivery model for community-based dementia palliative care in Ireland. This responds to palliative care now being recognised as a priority in care for people with dementia. Various dementia palliative care services exist internationally, however little is known about what the service providers would deem to be the most important aspects of service provision. The aim of this study was to identify what key stakeholders consider to be essential components of a model of dementia palliative care. Methods A web-based survey was developed, piloted (n=5), and revised. It was distributed electronically within five healthcare jurisdictions, in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. The target population was healthcare professionals, policy-makers, and academics, with an interest in dementia and palliative care. Content analysis of open ended questions was used to identify common themes within the data. Results Complete surveys were received from 112 stakeholders. The majority of respondents were female (86%). Identified key principles of care incorporated the philosophies of palliative care and good dementia care, with many describing 'holistic' and 'person-centred care' as core. Important individual components were identified, including support for carers, advanced care planning, information, education and training, activities for 'meaningful living', comprehensive disease management, coordinated case management, and linking in with community health services and social activities. Barriers to the model were identified at three levels: '(mis)understanding of dementia palliative care', 'application of dementia palliative care' and 'wider service organisation'. Conclusion Numerous components of a 'good' model were identified, along with possible barriers to implementation of the model. This study, as part of the larger project, will inform a model of dementia palliative care for the Irish Healthcare system with the potential to improve the experiences of people with dementia and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]