|
Why
Are Feeding Tubes Used?
Feeding tubes are a subject of debate in the medical
community due to the demonstrable advantages and disadvantages of feeding tubes.
Outside of the medical community, a moral debate about the use of feeding
tubes rages on. However, for
elderly people in the advanced stages of dementia, feeding tubes may help
prevent malnutrition and dehydration. The
insertion of feeding tubes involves a minor surgical procedure that takes only a
short time to perform. The staff of
a skilled nursing facility should be well-educated about how to care for
residents who have feeding tubes. Feeding
tubes are not only used when a person is in the advanced stages of dementia,
however. As a person ages, the
swallowing mechanism may decline, causing difficulty eating and drinking, which,
in turn, leads rapidly to the more serious problems associated with malnutrition
and dehydration. If a family is
aware of dementia or a decline in function of the swallowing mechanism in an
elderly loved one, the staff of the skilled nursing facility should be made
aware of such information in order to provide optimal care to the elderly loved
one. Any concerns or positions a
family has about the use of feeding tubes should be discussed with the staff of
a skilled nursing facility upon admittance of the elderly loved one.
Asking the Right
Questions Can Be Difficult but Care Plan Information™ Can Help
Admitting an elderly loved one to a skilled nursing
facility can be a difficult time for families.
Care Plan Information™ can help families ask the right questions to the
staff of a skilled nursing facility to help eliminate problems in the future.
Care Plan Information™ can help families become educated about feeding
tubes and other areas of concern. Visit
www.CarePlanInformation.com
today to order a packet.
Buy your Care Plan Information Packet - $49 plus tax and shipping.
|
