These guidelines are aimed at health care professionals caring for patients with advanced dementia who are approaching the end of life. They may be particularly useful for staff caring for patients in care homes, including those homes specialising in dementia care.

Download Medication administration for people with advanced dementia approaching the end of life

Sometimes taking medications both orally and also by injection can be difficult in this situation. These guidelines offer suggestions for different approaches to managing symptoms.

The guidelines should be used in conjunction with ‘A Guide to Symptom Management in Palliative Care‘ published by the Yorkshire Cancer Network and the North East Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Alliance.

The guidelines stress that it is essential that the patient has first been assessed for capacity to consent to take medicines. If the patient does not have capacity, a best interests decision should be made in line with the Mental Capacity Act https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents