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Outcomes of Feeding Problems in Advanced Dementia in a Nursing Home Population
Author(s) -
Hanson Laura C.,
Ersek Mary,
Lin Feng Chang,
Carey Timothy S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.12448
Subject(s) - medicine , nursing homes , dementia , gerontology , nursing , population , family medicine , environmental health , disease , pathology
Objectives To describe quality of care for feeding problems in advanced dementia and probability and predictors of weight loss and mortality. Design Prospective cohort. Setting Twenty‐four nursing homes ( NH s). Participants Nursing home residents with advanced dementia and feeding problems and family surrogates (N = 256). Measurements Family reported on quality of feeding care at enrollment and 3 months. Chart reviews at enrollment and 3, 6, and 9 months provided data on feeding problems, treatments, weight loss of more than 5% in 30 days or more than 10% in 6 months, and mortality. Organizational variables were obtained from administrator surveys and publically reported data. Results Residents with advanced dementia and feeding problems had an average age of 85; 80% had chewing and swallowing problems, 11% weight loss, and 48% poor intake. Family reported feeding assistance of moderate quality; 23% felt the resident received less assistance than needed. Mortality risk was significant; 8% died within 3 months, 17% within 6 months, and 27% within 9 months. Residents with advanced dementia who had stable weight over 3 months had a 5.4% rate of significant weight loss and a 2.1% risk of death over the next 3 months. Residents with advanced dementia and weight loss over 3 months had a 38.9% chance of stabilizing weight over the next 3 months but also had a 19.2% chance of dying. Weight loss was the only independent predictor of death. Conclusion Weight loss is a predictor of death in advanced dementia. Treatments can often stabilize weight, but weight loss should be used to trigger discussion of goals of care and treatment options.

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