Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Seizures at the End of Life

J Palliat Med. 2021 May;24(5):760-766. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0096. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Abstract

Seizures are physically burdensome and emotionally distressing for patients, families, caregivers, and clinicians. Patients with neurological diseases are at increased risk of having complex, difficult-to-control seizures at the end of life. Palliative care (PC) clinicians asked to provide management of these seizures may not be familiar or comfortable with more complex seizures or epilepsy. A team of neurologists and PC specialists have compiled a list of tips to guide clinicians on how to care for patients having seizures and to support their families/caregivers.

Keywords: antiepileptics; benzodiazepines; end of life; epilepsy; seizure triggers; symptom control.

MeSH terms

  • Death
  • Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing*
  • Humans
  • Palliative Care*
  • Seizures