How long does a G Tube prolong the life of an alzheimers patient?
This patient has advanced alzheimers and was unable to eat or drink anything anymore. He was given about six months to live last November, until the family decided to have a G tube inserted. He still knows the names of his children, but is very confused the rest of the time. He sleeps all the time. Tody he contracted aspiration pneomnia. A: In this case, not long. G-tube will only support nutrition, it cannot stop pneumonia, especially if it is viral pneumonia. You say he has aspiration type but no one really knows unless they tested for this, it is only an educated guess. A person can aspirate his or her own spit so g-tube is not a cure all for that. If a person with a g-tube has gerd, they could aspirate what was just fed to them through the tube. Pneumonia has been called the old man’s friend, this is a way out for a man that wants to keep some sort of dignity. I believe his time is soon and that he is lucky.
