Forgoing artificial nutrition and hydration in nursing home patients with dementia: patients, decision making, and...

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of patients for whom it is decided to forgo artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) and characteristics of the ANH decision-making process. We conducted an observational study with the use of written questionnaires. For 178 nursing home patients with dementia, the treating nursing home physician (NHP), a family member, and a nurse filled out a questionnaire directly after the decision was made to forgo ANH.

We found that most patients had severe dementia and two thirds had an acute illness. Advance care planning had taken place in 68% of the cases. In two thirds of the cases, the primary aim in forgoing ANH was to avoid unnecessary prolongation of life; and nurses seemed to have less influence on the decision-making process than NHPs and family members. Almost all respondents evaluated the decision-making process as "good" or "adequate." Dissatisfaction was felt when the decision had to be made under the pressure of time constraint.

On the basis of these results, we recommend that discussions that include NHPs, family members, and nurses concerning decisions about possible future situations be held on a regular basis. This will form the basis for the difficult ANH decision and will probably reduce the pressure of time constraint.