It’s a question that comes up more often than you might think. A loved one with dementia is showing new changes—struggling with daily routines, sleeping less, losing weight, or withdrawing socially—and you find yourself wondering: Is it time to get more support?
This decision is deeply personal, and for many families, it’s wrapped up in uncertainty. There’s a fear of starting too soon, but also a fear of waiting until it’s “too late.” The good news is, palliative care for dementia isn’t just an end-of-life measure—it’s a source of ongoing comprehensive support that can be introduced at many stages of the illness.
Let’s walk through what you need to know about dementia’s progression, the signs that palliative care could help, and how to navigate these choices with confidence.
To begin, it helps to understand how dementia could unfold over time and why that matters for planning.
Understanding Dementia’s Journey
Dementia is not a single disease—it’s an umbrella term for a range of conditions that cause progressive cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and numerous other neurodegenerative diseases and conditions. Over time, these conditions can affect not only memory but also communication, physical health, and emotional well-being.
In the early stages, changes may be subtle: forgetting appointments, misplacing items, or struggling to find the right word. As dementia advances, everyday tasks can become harder, physical health declines, and patients require increasing levels of care.
Recognizing dementia’s trajectory is the first step in understanding how palliative care can fit into the picture. And while progression rates vary, what remains consistent is the value of planning ahead—something that becomes much harder if conversations are delayed until crisis hits.
With that journey in mind, the next question is what palliative care can actually provide throughout these stages.
What Palliative Care Offers for Dementia Patients
Palliative care provides a holistic layer of support that focuses on quality of life for both the patient and their caregivers. It can be introduced at any stage of dementia, working alongside other treatments and therapies.
For dementia patients, palliative care can help with:
- Managing physical symptoms such as pain, stiffness, or trouble swallowing.
- Addressing behavioral changes like anxiety, aggression, or restlessness.
- Supporting emotional and spiritual well-being for the patient and their family.
- Coordinating care between specialists, primary care providers, and home support services.
- Provide education, resources, and even tools to help family members and patients navigate the journey.
The goal is not to hasten or delay the progression of dementia but to ensure each day is as comfortable and dignified as possible. When families understand this, palliative care often shifts from being a “last resort” to being a long-term partner in care.
Knowing the benefits, the practical next step is recognizing the signs that it may be time to bring palliative care into the picture.
Key Indicators It May Be Time to Consider Palliative Care
So how do you know when to take the next step?
There’s no universal checklist, but there are patterns that suggest a person with dementia could benefit from palliative care:
- Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits for infections, falls, or sudden health changes.
- Significant weight loss or difficulty eating and swallowing.
- Noticeable changes in mood or behavior, including anxiety, aggression, or withdrawal.
- Increased dependency on others for basic daily activities.
- Caregiver/care partner burnout, where those providing care feel exhausted, isolated, or overwhelmed.
When one or more of these indicators are present, it’s worth initiating a conversation with a healthcare provider about whether palliative care could help. And if you’re concerned about affordability, organizations like the Empowered Endings Foundation can help you explore financial assistance options.
From here, it’s helpful to clarify how palliative care differs from hospice so you can choose the right level of support at the right time.
Palliative Care vs Hospice for Dementia
One of the most common misconceptions is that palliative care and hospice are the same thing. While both prioritize comfort and quality of life, there’s an important distinction:
Palliative care can begin at any stage of dementia and may be provided for years, even alongside curative treatment for other diagnosis. Palliative care is not just
- end of life solutions but for those who want to extend the quality of their life.
- Hospice care is typically focused solely on comfort care in the final six months of life, when curative treatment is no longer pursued.
In dementia care, early palliative involvement can make a significant difference—reducing hospital visits, supporting caregivers, and creating a stable plan for later stages. Families who wait until hospice often say they wish they had started sooner.
Alongside these medical layers of support, there are also day-to-day practices that can enhance connection and comfort as dementia progresses.
Supporting Brain Health Along the Way
While there is currently no cure for dementia, certain approaches can enhance comfort and engagement for people living with the condition. Many of these fit naturally within a palliative care plan:
- Music therapy to trigger memories and reduce anxiety.
- Reminiscence therapy, using photos or familiar objects to spark conversation.
- Sensory engagement, such as hand massages, aromatherapy, or gentle movement.
- Structured routines to provide predictability and reduce stress.
These interventions don’t stop progression, but they can make daily life richer and more meaningful. Palliative care teams often help integrate these practices into home routines, and you can also find ideas in Empowered Endings Foundation’s caregiver workshops and events.
To put these supports in motion, the next step is opening a clear, values-led dialogue with your healthcare team.
Having the Conversation with Healthcare Providers
Bringing up palliative care with a doctor or specialist can feel intimidating, but it’s a crucial step. Here are some questions that can guide the discussion:
- Based on my loved one’s current stage, would palliative care help?
- Can palliative care be provided at home, and what services are included?
- How can we integrate non-medical supports like music or therapy into the plan?
- What insurance or assistance options are available to cover these services?
By framing the conversation around quality of life—not just disease progression—you create a more collaborative environment with your care team.
Once those conversations begin, you can move forward with a plan that centers comfort, dignity, and support for everyone involved.
Final Thoughts
Choosing palliative care for someone with dementia isn’t a sign of giving up—it’s a sign of love and commitment. It means prioritizing comfort, dignity, and support for both the patient and the care partner walking this journey alongside them.
If you’re seeing signs that palliative care might help, the best time to explore it is now. Reach out to the Empowered Endings Foundation to learn about our Education Hub, free planning resources, and community events designed to make this journey less overwhelming.
Because while dementia changes many things, it doesn’t have to take away the ability to live with meaning, comfort, and connection.
References
Alzheimer’s Association. “Alzheimer’s Stages: Early, Middle, Late Dementia Symptoms.” Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/stages.
Alzheimer’s Association. “Stages and Behaviors: Caregiving Insights.” Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors.
World Health Organization. “Dementia: Key Facts.” Last modified September 20, 2022. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia.
