The new Israeli Law “The Dying Patient” provides avenues for possible medical, ethical, and Halachic (Jewish religious law) solutions in view of the complexityof the treatment of an end-stage dementia patient. The establishment of a hospice-like setting for
dementia patients in Israel, based on palliative treatment only, similar to the Jewish hospices in the United States, is extremely important. This article proposes a new, alternative approach and setting for patients with end-stage dementia that could pertain to the Israeli setting and could possibly also be acceptable in other countries. Short hospitalization periods of approximately 1 month and treatment in Relief of Suffering End-of-Life With Dementia Units may be a new palliative approach and present a possible solution for coping with the burden of the suffering of end-state dementia patients, their families, and the medical and nursing staff.
Keywords: dementia; hospice; dying