THE ROLE OF NUTRITION SUPPORT IN THE TERMINAL STAGE OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA

Abstract

Nutrition is inseparable from our life. It is of particular importance in childhood and in illness. However, its significance should not be overrated. This holds true especially in case of incurable patients. We have to bear in mind that nutrition in every form and way of administration serves only as a supportive therapy and as such should not be provided against a patient's will that was expressed in a due manner. Each patient is entitled to a good quality and respectable life even at its end. Definitely, nutrition delivered through nasogastric tube and by means of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy does not contribute to the quality of life just the opposite. Nutrition in the terminally ill has become a widely discussed ethical dilemma. Patients in the terminal stage of Alzheimer's disease and dementia should be given professional palliative care, and their autonomy and human dignity should always be respected. The aim of this paper is to define the specifics and the importance of nutritional support in the terminal stage of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The relevant studies researched were identified by key words and followed by analytical activities and critical discussion. The recommended procedures of nutritional care in the terminal phase of dementia in Alzheimer's disease indicate that the patients should be fed by mouth as long as they are able to receive food, and, accordingly, a suitable adjustment in the diet should be adopted. Furthermore, it is appropriate to use sipping nutritional diets, that may slow down malnutrition, which is the result of the disease progression. Inadequate hydration may be compensated for with the help of hypodermoclysis.