Managing Eating Disorders in Elderly with Dementia and the Ethical Considerations for Tube Feeding
Abstract
S.C. Lim and Peter CL Chow
As dementia progresses, the elderly with dementia often have difficulties finishing their meals and weight loss is a common feature at this stage of their dementia journey. Eating disorders cause tremendous caregiver stress and burden. In considering provision of best care for this group of elderly, the hospital is probably not the best place and yet, they are frequently brought in to the hospital to seek help for fever, pneumonia, dislodged feeding tube, medical complications arising from poor feeding and dehydration. It is important to understand the aetiology of poor feeding among this group of patients and advise the patients and their family on the appropriate management strategies to improve the intake of food and to maximize their quality of life. At this stage of dementia, focusing on means to ensure nutritional needs are met may end up causing further harm and distress.