In working with seniors and their families, end of life care issues always come up.  It is a hard decision for the senior and families to make end of life care decisions, for example, whether to continue treating an illness or disease, implementing palliative care, or inserting a feeding tube.  These difficult decisions can often be made ahead of time by the individual via a Living Will.  Living Wills allow individuals the ability to document their end of life wishes, treatment preferences, and care options.  Any person over the age of 18, who is considered competent to make their own decisions, is able to complete a Living Will.  Living Will forms can be found at your local library, the internet, or an attorney's office.  Some states develop and recognize state-specific Living Will forms.  To download your state's specific advance directives form, check out Caring Connections.

The most difficult end of life decision to make is whether to insert a feeding tube or not.  A recent article from Health Behavior News Science, addresses recent studies on this issue.  For people with Advanced Dementia or degenerative dementia, the body is unable to metabolize food properly due to the brain damage.  The biggest fear for families is wondering if their loved one is "starving to death" or experiencing pain from hunger and thirst.  Hospice studies have indicated that few people experience this type of pain.  And if pain is exhibited it is often alleviated with palliative care and pain management.  In my career, I have had several physicians state that due to the brain damage and with the body going through the end of life process, that our bodies do not feel hunger or thirst.  But will we really ever know the answer to that question??  My motto as a geriatric social worker has always been, if I've made someone as happy and as comfortable as possible while they are here with us then I've done my job.  What I do know is that the decision to place a feeding tube is an individual decision and each person's situation should be considered separately.

For more information on studies, reviews of health care interventions, and evidence of clinical trials, check out the Cochrane Collaboration.