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FarCenter

(19,429 posts)

4. It may extend the average life by a few months

Mon Mar 24, 2014, 09:43 AM

Mar 2014

More than 90 percent of the 260,000 Japanese patients estimated to be fed through a tube are bedbound, according to a survey by Japan’s hospital association. They are, on average, 81 years old and nourished by tube for 2.3 years.

Most of the elderly who get put on stomach tubes in Japan never get taken off them. While almost a quarter of those fed via a tube to the stomach had the potential to eat by mouth again, only about 2 percent of them did so and had the tube removed, according to a study funded by the health ministry.

Although for the fraction that get put on feeding tubes, 2.3 years does seem like a long time.

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Japan Moves to Limit Bedbound Elderly On Feeding Tubes [View all] FarCenter Mar 2014 OP

Because they can run to McDonalds instead? TexasTowelie Mar 2014 #1

Economics forcing a lot of countries to do things previously unimaginable. Not Obama's fault Hoyt Mar 2014 #2

So the incredible number of Japanese who live long lives JimDandy Mar 2014 #3

It may extend the average life by a few months FarCenter Mar 2014 #4

Hmm... 2.3 years isn't enough to account, though, JimDandy Mar 2014 #14

wow...nt Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #10

What an awful way to end your life. Nye Bevan Mar 2014 #5

Being on a feeding tube is not a terrible way to live Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #7

For some people... pipi_k Mar 2014 #11

Is being on an oxygen tube terrible? Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #12

Like I pointed out... pipi_k Mar 2014 #16

Someone close to me is on oxygen and I hope she lives a long time. Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #20

Actually that's not pipi_k Mar 2014 #28

I watched a man 840high Mar 2014 #38

OK... pipi_k Mar 2014 #43

I'm glad she died 840high Mar 2014 #45

That's why we have living wills malaise Mar 2014 #8

My MIL had one pipi_k Mar 2014 #15

My mom died 20 years ago come July malaise Mar 2014 #27

I'm so glad pipi_k Mar 2014 #29

Same for me..."30 percent of seriously ill people surveyed in a hospital said they would “rather die adirondacker Mar 2014 #32

I'm not spending one single day in a nursing home malaise Mar 2014 #33

Me neither...even pipi_k Mar 2014 #34

Careful. That's what my mother said and I did my best to keep her out of one. adirondacker Mar 2014 #35

I get your point malaise Mar 2014 #39

Most of us want to exit peacefully without burdening others. adirondacker Mar 2014 #41

My dad spent the last 4 years of his life on a tube after his stroke FrodosPet Mar 2014 #9

its not clear from your post if the tube was more terrible for you or your dad. Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #17

Not like you have much choice! FrodosPet Mar 2014 #30

. Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #31

! adirondacker Mar 2014 #37

Pneumonia from food aspirated into the lungs is a major killer of elderly. Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #6

That's what my relative's Dr told us when we asked to JimDandy Mar 2014 #19

I'm under the impression for food risk pneumonia a tube is safer than eating. Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #22

What would you prefer they die from? Barack_America Mar 2014 #21

I think if you have a choice between dying of food aspirated pneumonia or going on a tube for a Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #23

Sounds like Goldman Sachs talking austerity is good for Japan. Octafish Mar 2014 #13

This is interesting for Japan. Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #25

From the personal stories in this thread I just want to say Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2014 #18

Thanks NU Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #24

If there are people on feeding tubes who aren't Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2014 #26

How do you say "death panels" in Japanese? KamaAina Mar 2014 #36

First of all I want to know what type of feeding tube? The ones that they shove down your throat or jwirr Mar 2014 #40

The article refers to "stiching up the incision" upon removal FarCenter Mar 2014 #42

Okay. I hesitate to say they are totally wrong limiting this use. Not for the young like my daughter jwirr Mar 2014 #44