Artificial nutrition and hydration therapy in advanced dementia

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muriel R Gillick
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Nutrition ◽  
Advanced Dementia ◽  
Artificial Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Hydration Therapy

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Physicians and Other Health Care Providers Regarding Artificial Nutrition and Hydration at the End of Life

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1121-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roschelle Heuberger ◽  
Helen Wong
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Artificial Nutrition ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Advanced Dementia ◽  
Artificial Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Eol Care

Objective: Despite the growing evidence against artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) use among patients with advanced dementia, little is known about the perspectives of the health care team. This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of physicians and other health care providers regarding the use of ANH at the end of life (EOL). Methods: A cross-sectional survey explored the provision of EOL care using a hypothetical case scenario of a patient with advanced dementia and dysphagia. Questionnaire items were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric approaches. Results: In this sample of 323 respondents, statistical significance was found between physicians and other health care providers’ views on ANH and its related beneficial effects or health outcomes in EOL care. Discussion: Results indicate knowledge deficits in physicians and other health care professionals and highlight the need for comprehensive continuing education programs on EOL topics. Conclusion: Differences in knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding ANH in EOL among healthcare providers were observed and education regarding evidence based clinical guidelines are necessary.

scholarly journals Palliative Care in Advanced Dementia: Comparison of Strategies in Three Countries

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Shelley A. Sternberg ◽  
Shiri Shinan-Altman ◽  
Ladislav Volicer ◽  
David J. Casarett ◽  
Jenny T. van der Steen
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Artificial Nutrition ◽  
Advanced Dementia ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Artificial Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Positive Elements ◽  
The Us

Palliative care including hospice care is appropriate for advanced dementia, but policy initiatives and implementation have lagged, while treatment may vary. We compare care for people with advanced dementia in the United States (US), the Netherlands, and Israel. We conducted a narrative literature review and expert physician consultation around a case scenario focusing on three domains in the care of people with advanced dementia: (1) place of residence, (2) access to palliative care, and (3) treatment. We found that most people with advanced dementia live in nursing homes in the US and the Netherlands, and in the community in Israel. Access to specialist palliative and hospice care is improving in the US but is limited in the Netherlands and Israel. The two data sources consistently showed that treatment varies considerably between countries with, for example, artificial nutrition and hydration differing by state in the US, strongly discouraged in the Netherlands, and widely used in Israel. We conclude that care in each country has positive elements: hospice availability in the US, the general palliative approach in the Netherlands, and home care in Israel. National Dementia Plans should include policy regarding palliative care, and public and professional awareness must be increased.

Views of Registered Dietitians Compared to Speech-Language Pathologists on Artificial Nutrition and Hydration at the End of Life

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912199431
Author(s):  
Molly K Bigford ◽  
Roschelle Heuberger ◽  
Erica Raymond ◽  
Viki Shayna ◽  
James Paauw
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Terminal Illness ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Study Patient ◽  
Artificial Nutrition ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Artificial Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

Objective: To analyze and compare the knowledge and opinions of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) about artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) in a terminal illness. Beliefs of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) were also considered and compared against RDN data. Methods: This is a descriptive analysis utilizing survey responses from RDNs and SLPs regarding ANH in a case study patient with advanced dementia. Results: There was a strong belief among RDNs that ANH at end of life (EOL) would improve nutritional status, although a correlation was found between those in favor of ANH and believing it was ethical to withhold ANH at EOL (R2 = 0.109, p = 0.002). Responses indicated that SLPs need more education regarding ANH techniques, while RDNs felt ANH would improve aspiration risk. Place of employment, religion and age of respondents were also found to impact beliefs. Conclusion: Clinicians, specifically RDNs, working with patients at EOL need more evidenced-based education on the risks and benefits of ANH. Decisions regarding care of patients at EOL should be void of clinicians’ personal bias which may affect ethical treatment in the clinical setting. Further controlled trials must be performed before claims can be made regarding ANH at EOL.

scholarly journals Observations on the Ethical and Social Aspects of Disorders of Consciousness

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 758-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Racine ◽  
Catherine Rodrigue ◽  
James L. Bernat ◽  
Richard Riopelle ◽  
Sam D. Shemie
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Functional Neuroimaging ◽  
Vegetative State ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Disorders Of Consciousness ◽  
Artificial Nutrition ◽  
Artificial Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Nutrition And Hydration ◽  
Unconscious Patients

AbstractThe care of chronically unconscious patients raises vexing medical, ethical, and social questions concerning diagnosis, prognosis, communication with family members, and decision making, including the withdrawal of life support. We provide updates on major controversies surrounding disorders of consciousness. Issues such as withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration – which had been considered “settled” by many in the medical, legal and ethical communities – have resurfaced under the pressure of social groups and religious authorities. Some assumptions about the level of awareness and the prognosis of vegetative state and minimal conscious patients are questioned by advances in clinical care because of insights produced by neuroscience research techniques, particularly functional neuroimaging. Both the clinical and neuroscience dimensions of disorders of consciousness raise complex issues such as resource allocation and high levels of diagnostic inaccuracies (at least, for the vegetative state). We conclude by highlighting areas needing further research and collaboration.

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