Patients with dementia require assistance with many essential activities of daily living. From assistance getting dressed, eating, bathing and even transportation assistance, often, those with dementia, find there is no other choice but to move into an assisted living facility soon after diagnosis is made.
Beyond Alzheimer’s, patients who suffer from dementia experience a progressive and, often, fast-deteriorating health status. In many, the months after being diagnosed with dementia can lead to complications that often result in the patient becoming bed ridden.
If you are caring for a loved one who suffers from dementia which has progressed to the point of such dependence that even eating and feeding has become challenged, it may be necessary to discuss the option of feeding tube placement with a healthcare professional.
With advanced stages of dementia, the patient will not only experience a decline in health due to malnutrition but may also be at risk for developing complications associated with aspiration pneumonia. To encourage proper feeding and decrease the risk of these health complications, feeding tubes provide a great opportunity to ensure nutrients are received and decrease the risk for complications such as aspiration pneumonia. In addition to physical complications with feeding, the dementia patient may also develop psychological complications associated with feeding, often becoming disinterested in food even when offered some of their favorite snacks.
Before considering a feeding tube, however, all aspects of healthcare should be considered. While dementia results in the loss of many physical, emotional and mental faculties, there are those patients who continue to experience some motor function and may enjoy, periodically, ingesting food orally. The consistency of foods and flavor of foods may still be sensations the dementia patient enjoys and, as a result, a feeding tube should only be considered as a last resort. Instead, when the dementia patient is experiencing complications with malnutrition, hand feeding may be necessary.
Caring for the aging population can be challenging. When caring for a loved one who suffers from dementia, it is important to balance the emotional and physical complications. While feeding tubes are a great resource in restoring nutrition in the dementia patient who is malnourished and unable to feed orally, it should be considered only as a last resort. If the dementia patient in your life is unable to eat due to loss of motor skills, or has simply lost interest in food selections, try to find items that are enjoyable in flavor, texture and consistency and attempt hand feeding before turning to the last resort of feeding tube placement.
The law offices of Berman & Riedel, LLP represent victims of elder abuse and neglect throughout the state of California. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the care an elderly loved one is receiving, call (858) 350-8855. Our staff will happily provide you and your family with an initial free consultation to discuss with you the rights and damages you and your family may be entitled to under California and federal law. To learn more about Berman & Riedel, LLP, visit the firm’s website at www.preventelderabuse.com.
