Executive summary of the position paper on the use of enteral nutrition in advanced dementia

Abstract

Dementia is an increasingly prevalent disease in our environment, with significant health and social repercussions. Despite the available scientific evidence, there is still controversy regarding the use of enteral tube nutrition in people with advanced dementia. This document aims to reflect on the key aspects of advanced dementia, tube nutritional therapy and related ethical considerations, as well as to respond to several frequent questions that arise in our daily clinical practice.

Keywords: Advanced dementia; Alimentación de confort; Comfort feeding; Cuidados terminales; Demencia avanzada; Enteral nutrition; Ethics; Nutrición enteral; Terminal care; Ética.