Feeding Tube Use in Persons with Advanced Dementia: Where Are We Now?

Developed by the Ethics, Ethnogeriatrics, and Clinical Practice & Models of Care Committees
Moderator:  Ramona L. Rhodes, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center
This educational program aims to discuss the role of the health care provider in the medical decision-making process, alternatives means of nutritional support and feeding techniques in persons with advanced dementia, and current research that is being conducted in this area. 

Feeding Tube Insertion among Persons with Advanced Cognitive Impairment: An Overview
Ramona L. Rhodes, MD, MPH 

Oral Feeding Options in Dementia Care and Decision-Making Tools: A Review of the Literature and Current Research
Laura C. Hanson, MD, MPH, Professor, University of North Carolina and Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Feeding Tube Placement in Advanced Dementia: The Speech-Language Pathologist’s Perspective
Helen M. Sharp, PhD, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, Western Michigan University

Development of Community Guidelines on Long Term Feeding Tube Placement
Patricia Bomba, MD, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield