International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Aug 2016, vol. 31, no. 8, p. 929-937
Shah,
Sunil M, Carey, Iain M, Harris, Tess, DeWilde, Stephen, Victor, Christina R,
Cook, Derek G
The health in the year before and after loss of a partner with dementia
compared with other bereavements is described. In the year before
bereavement, partners of individuals dying with dementia experience poorer mental
health than those facing bereavement from other causes, and their partner is
less likely to receive palliative care. In the year after, individuals whose
partner died with dementia experience some attenuation of the adverse health
effects of bereavement. Services need to address the needs of carers for
individuals dying with dementia and improve access to palliative care.