Evidence-based ‘triggers’ are needed to identify people with advanced dementia who are at a time-point when they and their family are likely to benefit from a facilitated case conference and make sure that changing care needs are identified and acted upon in a timely way.

Providing case conferences at additional points in time other than on admission or annual review ensures that case conferences are at times when the planning of care is most needed. Below is a list of triggers that indicate a change in severity of dementia symptoms likely to benefit from additional multidisciplinary discussion involving the family. Actions arising from a case conference may be to:

• update the person’s medical management or current care plan
• alter their physical environment to improve comfort or change interactions and relationships with other people
• offer pastoral support and/or
• review their advance care plan.

Further information on circumstances that may indicate the need for a case conference, as well as relevant clinical case studies can be found by clicking on each trigger.

Triggers

1. New or worsening symptoms
2. Functional or clinical status decline
3. Return home or to a residential aged care facility following discharge from acute care or Emergency Department (ED) presentation
4. Poor appetite or reduced oral intake
5. Family distress or disagreement about care

Last updated 14 October 2015