A new manual offers help to family caregivers whose relatives who are at the end-stage of life and suffer advanced dementia.

The guide, "Caring for a Loved One with Advanced Dementia," is a joint effort of Hospice of Michigan and the Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapters, and received funding from the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The 28-page booklet is based on Hospice of Michigan's experiences in caring for more than 1,500 dementia patients over the past six years.

"As a patient with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia approaches the final stages of life, medical interventions such as feeding tubes, ventilators, CPR and medications can be more painful and disruptive than helpful," said Dorothy Deremo, President and CEO of Hospice of Michigan.

"This manual guides caregivers in asking the right questions to determine whether or not to treat infections, should they insert a feeding tube, or should CPR be used if the patient goes into cardiac arrest. It helps them decide if palliative, or comfort care, rather than aggressive treatment is the best choice."

The manual is available through Alzheimer's Association -- Michigan Chapters.

Other sources: Hospice of Michigan