Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41044929›Full record

SynthesisPalliative medicine2025

Caregiver-reported barriers and facilitators to hospice enrollment for persons with dementia: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

Oonjee Oh, Connie M Ulrich, Lauren Massimo, George Demiris

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Palliative medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Oonjee OhSchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-0022-1797
Connie M UlrichSchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Lauren MassimoSchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
George DemirisSchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite the increasing prevalence of dementia, persons with dementia often receive suboptimal care near the end of life. In many countries, specialized end-of-life support is offered by hospice. During the transitions to end-of-life care, caregivers play a crucial role in the decision-making and care provision for the persons with dementia. However, caregivers' experiences regarding the initial entry to hospice have not been comprehensively assessed in the dementia context.

aimTo synthesize qualitative evidence on the caregiver-reported barriers and facilitators to hospice enrollment for persons with dementia.

designSystematic review and thematic synthesisData sources:We conducted a systematic literature search across PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus. We considered articles published between 2009 and 2024 that contained qualitative data on hospice entry collected from dementia caregivers.

resultsTwenty-two articles met our study eligibility criteria. Five themes were identified: (a) caregivers' observation and perception of severe stage dementia, (b) whether hospice was the right choice for persons with dementia, (c) burden due to the practical aspects of caregiving, (d) emotions and perception about death and hospice, and (e) guidance and access to hospice. These five themes encompassed 11 facilitators and 15 barriers.

conclusionsDementia caregivers experience intrapersonal, interpersonal, emotional, logistical, and physical challenges in ensuring quality end-of-life support for their loved one (e.g. limited understanding of end-stage dementia, gatekeeping providers, and family conflicts). The unique needs of caregivers caring for a seriously ill family member with dementia are not being fully addressed by the current available services and policies.

Indexed as

CaregiversDementiaHospice CareAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchTerminal CarecaregiversDementiahospicequalitative researchsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41044929
PMCPMC12476476

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