Too often, onerous, futile medical interventions are ordered for
these end-stage patients, researchers say,, WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14
(HealthDay News) -- Many people see end-stage dementia as
affecting only the mind, but a new study shows that the
disease's effects are far-reaching and eventually fatal. The
misconception by family members that end-stage dementia is not a
terminal condition can have negative consequences for the
patient, the researchers say. That's because concerned loved
ones often order aggressive, sometimes burdensome interventions
such as feeding tubes that will not improve patient outcomes.
"Dementia is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and yet
surprisingly little is known about how these patients die,"
noted the study's lead author, Dr. Susan Mitchell, an associate
professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a senior
scientist at the Hebrew Senior Life Institute for Aging Research
in Boston. "When families are more prepared, their loved ones
get less burdensome interventions," said