Tube feeding in advanced Alzheimer's disease: When language misleads

Abstract

For much of the late 20th century, feeding tubes were often considered essential in the treatment of people with advanced Alzheimer's disease (AD) who developed swallowing or eating problems. Increasingly, the use of feeding tubes (i.e., percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or PEG tubes), has been challenged by empirical research, which has not supported the rationales provided for this intervention. The purpose of this commentary is to explain why healthcare providers, in light of empirical evidence, should refrain from using the terms "life-sustaining" or "life-prolonging " when discussing tube feeding with older adults, their family members, or other surrogate decision-makers.