Tube feeding

We are the care givers of a 99 year old women who is presently in Hospis.  In Feb. 2009 she had colon opersation to remove a cancer growth.  She then was place in a asisted living facility and recently had problems, she was unresponsive and could not communicate.  She was moved to a hospital and diagnosed with additional cancer, pneumonia etc.  After about 1 week she was place in hospis and receiving nutrition by inteavenous (IV) line.  We are making her as confortable as possible.  She is partially alert but can not speak.  Others who are not care givers are complaining that she should be fed through a tube.  What are your thoughts on this matter,

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
it sounds like you are doing all the right things. The most important part of care at this point is bringing the whole family together in harmony and sending this noble elderly lady off to God in peace.

The goal is the keep her as comfortable as possible, maintain her dignity, and reduce any interventions that will cause pain and will not benefit her. As you clearly are aware, given her illness and her age, aggressive interventions will not help but will only add to her suffering,
best wishes