1st April 2022

An 85-year-old man is being treated in hospital for aspiration pneumonia

An 85-year-old man is being treated in hospital for aspiration pneumonia. He has progressive dysphagia due to Alzheimer’s disease and is malnourished as a result of this. His family currently care for him in their own home and ask if can have an artificial feeding tube (i.e. NG or PEG tube), as they are worried he may become so malnourished that he dies.

Which of the following statements about artificial feeding tubes in dementia is correct?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.