Narrative scaffolding for persons living with dementia in end of life spiritual care

Dementia diagnoses are on the rise and have a direct impact on the quality of hospice care. The growth of dementia in end-of-life (EOL) care poses problems for achieving meaningful dying for persons living with dementia (PLWD). This is because PLWD have trouble narrating their story, which is the primary way that persons seeking medical care across cultures describe their identity, values, and goals of care. Hospice chaplains have a unique role in using creative ways to engage PLWD in supported storytelling events, which supports meaningful dying and maintaining the personal dignity of PLWD. Narrative scaffolding is one promising way in which chaplains can use adaptive storytelling practices to connect with patients, improve their experiences of EOL care, and elicit patient stories to inform hospice plans of care.