Usefulness of the subcutaneous route in the care of patients with advanced dementia

• Published in: Revista española de geriatría y gerontología Vol. 44 Suppl 2; pp. 37 - 42
• Main Author: Hernández Palacios, Rafael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.11.2009
• Subjects: Aged; Dementia - drug therapy; Disease Progression; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Severity of Illness Index
• ISSN: 0211-139X; 1578-1747
• DOI: 10.1016/j.regg.2009.05.011

In advanced dementia, the therapeutic goals should be patient comfort, adequate symptom control, and the prevention of suffering due to futile, intrusive or disproportionate procedures. To attain these goals, the subcutaneous route is a useful tool, since it allows fluid administration and the delivery of many drugs. Because it is well tolerated and easy to apply, this route can be safely used in non-hospital settings, allowing patients to stay in their environment and avoiding the risks resulting from hospitalization. Although subcutaneous administration is outside the approved label of many drugs, clinical experience and the medical literature have produced sound evidence that has been incorporated into a number of practice guidelines in palliative care. The recent regulations simplify the implementation of these standards of clinical practice.