Tube feeding in the elderly. The technique, complications, and outcome.
Tube feeding is an art and a science that is increasingly used in our aging society as more people become physically incapacitated or have dementia. Properly used, tube feeding can be helpful. However, patients should be monitored for tolerance and complications and assessed for a possible return to oral feeding. The joy of eating, one of the pleasures in life, should not be denied if at all possible.
New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.
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Dharmarajan
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Unnikrishnan
D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D026690:Ethics, Clinical; D005526:Food, Formulated; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D014481:United States