How long can an elderly person live with a feeding tube?

Survival curves for the three categories of patients based on subsequent PEG tube status (PEG, comfort care, and improved) are shown in Figure 2 (p = . 0001). Unadjusted median survival was 33 days for the comfort group (95% CI 9 , 124 days), and 181 days for the PEG group (95% CI 70, 318 days).

Does PEG feeding prolong life?

The experts largely agree that PEG tube feeding is of little benefit for most patients with a limited life span or with dementia. In patients with dementia, PEG tube feeding rarely contributes to better nutritional status or longer life, nor does it minimize suffering or improve functional status.

Is a feeding tube life support?

Tube feeding is used when a person cannot eat and drink enough to stay alive or when it is not safe for the person to swallow food or liquids. Tube feeding can keep a person alive for days, months or years. But, people can die even when life supports are used.

How do you feed a patient with PEG?

Connect a syringe to the PEG tube. Gently draw back the plunger of the syringe to withdraw stomach contents. Read the amount in the syringe. Inject the contents back into the feeding tube (It contains important electrolytes and nutrients).

Should elderly get feeding tube?

In a nursing home, a feeding tube may be recommended because it’s simpler and faster for staff to tube feed a person versus carefully hand feeding them. Of course, every person’s condition is unique and there may be situations where a feeding tube could be a truly helpful treatment for your older adult.

What are the complications of PEG feeding?

MAJOR COMPLICATIONS

• Bleeding. Bleeding from the PEG tract, gastric artery, splenic or mesenteric vein injuries (massive retroperitoneal bleeding) and rectus sheath hematoma have been reported[72-74].
• Aspiration pneumonia.
• Internal organ injury.
• Necrotizing fasciitis.
• Buried bumper syndrome.
• Tumour seeding of the stoma.

How do you care for a patient with a PEG tube?

Caring for the PEG-tube Site

1. Use either mild soap and water or sterile saline (ask you provider).
2. Try to remove any drainage or crusting on the skin and tube.
3. If you used soap, gently clean again with plain water.
4. Dry the skin well with a clean towel or gauze.

How long can you live with a PEG?

There is some evidence to suggest that PEG tubes may decrease mortality among specific subgroups, such as those with ALS (13). Approximately 81% of all patients survived 30 days after PEG placement, and 38% were alive at 1 year.

Can a PEG tube be used to feed an elderly person?

The American Gastroenterological Association recommends the PEG tube for feeding patients who cannot or will not eat and require more than a temporary remedy. The association also says patients who undergo the surgery must have functioning digestion and be able to tolerate the operation.

Are there any side effects of PEG tube feeding?

PEG tube feeding has not been proven to improve quality of life, symptoms of thirst, or survival across the population of older adults at the end of life. Adverse effects of PEG tubes include wound infections, abdominal pain]

Are there stomach tubes to feed the elderly?

Welcome to IowaWatch. Feeding tubes surgically implanted into the stomach are coming under growing criticism in medical care for the elderly, even as their use among the frail, terminally ill and often demented patients has become commonplace.

When to use a PEG tube for gastric decompression?

Other but infrequent use of PEG tube is for gastric decompression in selected patients with gastrointestinal tract obstruction. For some older adults, PEG tube feeding can provide long-term enteral nutrition and hydration with low risk for complications. It can also provide psychological benefits for patients and family members.