Forum: Factor in quality of life when treating elderly dementia patients
I am writing in response to the Opinion piece “Dementia caregivers’ dilemma: ‘No tube feeding? Am I killing him?’” (Dec 5).
I am a volunteer who makes weekly visits to the elderly who live alone in government rental units.
Recently, an elderly woman had to be admitted to an old folks’ home due to her advancing dementia. She is being tube-fed because the nurses said she has forgotten how to swallow.
The tube goes through the nose and is so uncomfortable that she takes every chance to pull it out. And the home’s “logical” solution is to tie her hands up.
Honestly, the contraption looks really uncomfortable to me and I wonder if this elderly woman’s suffering is necessary.
Are there clear guidelines or protocols for treating these single elderly people that balance life-saving and letting nature take its course? Quality of life needs to be somewhere in the formula.
If given a choice, I would have the feeding tube removed. I love this elderly woman dearly and I would choose the same path for my parents as well as myself.
She has since lost a lot of weight and I hope she will not have to suffer much longer.
Bonnie da Roza
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