title: Tube feeding the demented nursing home resident.
abstract: Despite the many complications and minimal benefits associated with long-term enteral nutrition in patients with advanced dementia, it is, nevertheless, a widespread practice in nursing homes throughout the United States. This paper presents a review of the literature on dementia, geriatric nutrition, and enteral feeding. There appears to be limited research to support the long-term benefits and safety of enteral nutrition in advanced dementia. Additionally, it is not yet clear that long-term enteral nutrition in advanced dementia results in an improved quality of life.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Sheiman
mesh_terms: D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D028761:Withholding Treatment