28th May 2025

A 67-year-old woman with a background of oesophageal cancer is admitted to a hospice, having rapidly deteriorated at home.

A 67-year-old woman with a background of oesophageal cancer is admitted to a hospice, having rapidly deteriorated at home. She has little appetite and is having occasional choking episodes. She has been assessed in the community and deemed to have an unsafe swallow. Her prognosis is likely days to short weeks, and the treatment is best supportive care. She is markedly drowsy but is able to tell you that she does not want any life-prolonging measures as “it is time for nature to take its course”, and that she would “love to try eating”, as it is something that has “always given her pleasure”.

Which of the following approaches to nutrition would be most appropriate?

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