Table 1.

Case-vignette of a person with dementia

Mrs. White is 83 years old. She has been married for 56 years to Charles. They have one child, Lucy, who is 47, and who keeps in regular contact with them.

Mrs. White was diagnosed with dementia about 9 years ago. Until recently, she lived with her husband in a house in the country. Because Mrs. White can get quite aggressive when she does not understand what is going on, her husband can no longer deal with her at home. Therefore Mrs. White recently moved to a nursing home.

Question: Please explain if and when you would consider Mrs. White as a person in need of palliative care?