Aim To explore the preferences of residents with dementia for their end of life care, and nurses’ perceptions of these preferences.

Method Residents’ preferences were compared with nurses’ perceptions of their preferences in a qualitatively designed study in which the nominal group technique was adopted for data collection.

Findings Some of the residents’ preferences for their end of life care matched nurses’ perceptions of their preferences, but differences were identified. Residents emphasised comfort, family presence, familiar staff and surroundings; nurses thought that residents would want good communication, pain management, advance care planning, being cared for by knowledgeable staff and the inclusion of their families.

Conclusion End of life care needs are individual and a generic approach is not a sufficient standard of care for people with dementia. Patients should be included in studies about their needs and preferences for future care to provide a holistic approach to end of life care, and to develop evidence-based standards.