… Rutecki discusses the recent literature (also here) and reminds us that “it’s about time and touch as well. Human intimacy is not reimbursable, it transcends dollars and cents, and we cannot be said to care at all without it.”
the dignity of hand feeding those with dementia … Read More »
… “Why do we make potentially inefficacious therapies the default and require patients to opt out to avoid them?” … asks Brauner in a JAGS editorial accompanying an article on comfort feeding. “By creating an alternative treatment order—comfort feeding only (CFO)—Palecek and colleagues1 have taken an important step toward improving the care of persons with
default medicine … Read More »
… an article in the most recent Journal of Medicine and the Person discusses the importance of attending to and recognizing the basic needs of our patients and families. A transcript of the original talk and related talks from the 2009 Med Conference. “The key lies in recognizing these basic needs. Not what we have
recognizing our patient’s needs … Read More »
… Teno and colleagues proposal to offer gentle hand feeding (comfort feeding) instead of feeding tubes. As I discuss elsewhere, the best guide to the person’s food and water needs is their comfort. The NYT discusses here and here.
food & water based on patient need … Read More »
… an excellent resource for family and caregivers of those with severe dementia. Very practical. Excellent explanations and discussion. “Learning to sit in silence and use the five senses during visits takes practice—it does not seem natural at first. A new kind of relationship may be what your loved one needs at this time. Your
caring for those with dementia … Read More »
… you may be surprised at the answer. This is supported by the experience of many of us as well as this article about the use of feeding tubes or gentle hand feeding in nursing homes.
how to evaluate a nursing home … Read More »
… only when you stop trying to live longer … Gawande on hospice care … an interview on npr.
… links to practical resources. (as is often the case, the comments section tells us much about the culture and times in which we live)
caring for our loved ones with dementia … Read More »
… a wonderful glimpse into a community that treasures accompanying its own at the end-of-life. on the “issue” of nutrition-hydration … “And dying people, you can tell when they don’t want to eat or drink. That’s a natural thing.” (see my food & water for the journey at life’s end) “This is what our culture,
dying in community … Read More »
… please visit the newly added Food and Water for the Journey at Life’s End … We provide for the person in their need … the question is always “What does this person need – in terms of food and water?” … never “Should we give this person food and water (… a feeding tube)?”
food & water … at life’s end Read More »
