{"id":10385,"date":"2016-11-16T07:00:07","date_gmt":"2016-11-16T13:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=10385"},"modified":"2020-10-13T18:19:01","modified_gmt":"2020-10-13T23:19:01","slug":"are-feeding-tubes-good-for-people-with-advanced-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2016\/11\/are-feeding-tubes-good-for-people-with-advanced-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Feeding Tubes Good for People with Advanced Dementia?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are Feeding Tubes Good for People with \"AreAdvanced Dementia?<\/h1>\n

When we think about Alzheimer\u2019s and other types of dementia, we typically focus on the memory loss that these diseases cause. What\u2019s sometimes overlooked is that people with advanced dementia lose the ability to chew and swallow without choking and aspirating food into their lungs. Years ago, doctors often recommended surgery to put a feeding tube in the patient\u2019s abdomen. After years of studies, though, feeding tubes are no longer recommended<\/a><\/strong> for patients with late-stage dementia, and the New York Times says more families are opting to stick with hand feeding instead. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n

Non-profit group Choosing Wisely notes that feeding tubes do have their uses<\/a><\/strong>. Patients who can\u2019t swallow (but don\u2019t have a life-ending illness) and people recovering from trauma or surgery can benefit from the nutrients a tube can deliver. For people with advanced dementia, the outcomes are different.<\/p>\n

Feeding tubes carry some risks for late-stage dementia patients<\/h2>\n

The American Geriatrics Society\u2019s position is that \u201cwhen eating difficulties arise, feeding tubes are not recommended for older adults with advanced dementia.\u201d AGS says that\u2019s because tube feeding these patients raises their risk of<\/p>\n