My father had a g-tube placed when undergoing radiation for tonsil cancer. The treatments cured the cancer, but left him unable to swallow. He has been fully dependent on the tube feeding for almost four years now and has mid/late stage dementia, also brought on by the aggressive cancer treatments.
While many caregivers find themselves debating whether to have a g-tube placed for a loved one at this stage, I have been feeding Dad this way for years and can’t help wondering whether I’m doing him a disservice by doing so into perpetuity. I’ve heard that at some point, people with dementia will begin to refuse food because their body no longer wants it. Have any of you been in my situation, wondering whether you’ll know when the food is doing more harm than good?
Much can be told with other bodily functions and this would be your guide.
If he is not on Hospice you might want to call and see if he would be eligible for the service. If not actual Hospice then Palliative care and they can tell when he would be able to transition to Hospice.
If Dad's swallowing problem was from the Dementia and his body was shutting down, then a feeding tube would be a mute topic. You would not put it in. But with your Dad that's not the case. He may need to be actively dying and on Hospice before the tube can be removed.
Check with his doctor but to remove it would mean his passing.