Needs Assessment and the Identification of Palliative Care Dimensions of the Essential Service Package for the Elderly with Alzheimer's Disease: A Mixed Exploratory Study.

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the needs and determining the care dimensions of the essential palliative care service package for the elderly with Alzheimer's disease.

Method: The mixed exploratory study was conducted in three phases. The first phase of the study was conducted in the form of a qualitative study and a literature review. This qualitative research was done through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 19 qualified caregivers (11 informal caregivers and 8 formal caregivers) The samples were selected using the purposive sampling method by referring to hospitals, nursing homes, and active branches of the Alzheimer's Association in some provinces. In the second phase, the dimensions of palliative care were codified, and in the third phase, the prioritization and the validation of the dimensions of palliative care were performed in the form of two Delphi rounds.

Results: Based on the results of the first phase of the study, the care dimensions of the service package were placed in eight categories based on National Consensus Project. In the second phase, the needs of Alzheimer's patients were arranged in the form of a questionnaire consisting of 8 parts, with 180 indicators. Then, in the third phase, the dimensions of the palliative care essential package were designed with 74 items in the form of 4 dimensions.

Conclusion: The dimensions of the essential service package of palliative care included a series of interventions as well as physical, psychological, cognitive, and spiritual support.