Futile end-of-life care
Two new studies from The New England Journal of Medicine indicate that nursing home residents may be receiving futile care measures at the end of their lives.
In one study, doctors examined health records of 3,702 nursing-home residents across the nation who started dialysis between 1998 and 2000. While the average age was 73, many had other health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Within the first year, 58 percent died and 29 percent declined in their ADL ability.
The second study followed 323 people with advanced dementia from nursing homes in the Boston area. Their average age was 85 and they could not recognize loved ones or walk or talk. One out of four died within six months and half died during the 18 months they were followed.
As this article points out, experts agree that these two studies point back to the need for more palliative care in nursing homes.