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American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, Vol. 24, No. 1, 77-82 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1049909106295297
© 2007 SAGE Publications

Conceptualizing Alzheimer's Disease as a Terminal Medical Illness

Gisele Wolf-Klein, MD

Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Geriatric Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 270-05 76th Ave, New Hyde Park, NY 11040; gwolf{at}nshs.edu

Renee Pekmezaris, PhD

Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Great Neck, New York

Lisa Chin, BA

Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York

Joseph Weiner, MD, PhD

Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York

Alzheimer's disease is a common illness of the elderly population, with an estimated prevalence of 4.5 million people in the United States and 24.3 million worldwide. Despite current pharmaceutic advances in delaying disease progression, there is no cure. This article reviews the evidence for conceptualizing Alzheimer's disease as a terminal medical illness. Discussed are principles of palliative care as applied to the patient with Alzheimer's disease and the patient's family.

Key Words: Alzheimer's disease • end-of-life care • palliative care


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