As the population ages, the number of cancer patients with dementia has increased. A recent study published in Geriatrics & Gerontology International found that cancer patients with dementia were less likely to achieve a “good death” than those without.
In the study, quality of death was measured from nurses’ reports and factored in life completion, place of death, and symptom management.
Of the 508 patients with cancer in the study, 156 (30.7%) had dementia. Dementia was associated with a reduced quality of death among patients.
The study’s authors note that it may be difficult to confirm patients’ end-of-life preferences because of cognitive decline. Their findings…
