Enteral Nutrition and Dementia Integrating Ethics.
Publication Title
Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2018
Keywords
advance directives; dementia; dysphagia; enteral nutrition; ethics; feeding; tube feeding
Abstract
This narrative review highlights topics related to feeding patients with dementia, including the use of ethical principles and legal precedents; specifies guidelines and practice recommendations; provides an option to assist in applying the recommendations, such as comfort feedings instead of enteral nutrition; promotes the use of early advance care planning to achieve medical therapies based on an individual's wishes; and provides 3 case studies to demonstrate the clinical application of the information presented in the article. Enteral nutrition guidelines and recommendations have been developed by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for individuals with dementia. Predominately these guidelines and recommendations focus on patients with advanced dementia due to the dysphagia and progressive disease process. Despite the research and recommendations to forgo enteral nutrition in advanced dementia, the practice continues. The detailed case studies, integrating an interprofessional approach, provide tools for clinicians to incorporate ethical principles and address the communication aspect when dealing with families and surrogate decision-makers for individuals with advanced dementia.
Specialty/Research Institute
Speech Therapy
Specialty/Research Institute
Geriatrics
Specialty/Research Institute
Biomedical Ethics
