My husband's aunt (who he has Medical POA for) is nearly 96 years old. Seven months ago she had to be moved to a SNF following a UT infection and fall. At the time she was very malnourished. She was living alone and is very reclusive. She improved and gained 10 pounds, but has now declined a bit, has some swallowing issues and the Dr. prescribed an appetite stimulant. She has mild dementia and has expressed that she doesn't know why she is "still here". We both feel she is ready to die and that not eating may be her way of dealing with it. Any suggestions? she made here wishes know several years ago that she did not want any life prolonging measures, would this be considered that and eventually lead to feeding tubes, etc.?
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An appetite stimulant is not going to solve swallowing problems. I'm wondering what the doctor had in mind prescribing this -- have you dicussed it with him or her? Perhaps the doctor feels the eating a little more will improve the quality of whatever time she has left. Is Aunt alert enough to understand what the pill is, and whether she wants to take it?
I don't put it in the same category as a feeding tube, but I'd want to hear the rationale for using it at this point.