Dementia

How Nurses Handled Choking on Phlegm/Mucus in Elderly

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While being hospitalized, my mother had a choking episode. In this post, I would share what the nurses did to help my mother. They also provided me advice on how to manage the situation if I am at home with her. It was about 2 hours after her meal. I was on the sofa next [...]

Nasogastric Ryles Tube: Silicon vs Plastic

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There are 2 types of materials used in nasogastric feeding tube: plastic and silicon. There is a substantial difference in the pricing of the ryles tube due to the quality of the materials that are being used. In Thailand, a plastic ryles tube cost between 12 to 15 baht each and has to be changed [...]

Nasogastric vs PEG tube for Alzheimer’s/dementia with swallowing problem

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Based on my mother’s experience in having a feeding tube placed when she could no longer consume enough by mouth due to dysphagia, nasogastric tube would be a better choice. A PEG tube (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) is suited for those who required tube feeding but with intact cognitive function, ie still able to think and [...]

Alzheimer’s and Tube Feeding | 6 months update

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My mom who is having end stage Alzheimer’s has been placed on nasogastric tube feeding since end of June 2020. I have done an update in a YouTube video end of last month: https://youtu.be/gmCVVUZYZlY In the beginning when she was placed on the nasogastric tube during her hospitalization, the doctors were not too optimistic. Due [...]

Coping with grief when a parent or loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia

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It is heartbreaking with our loved one receive the devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. As they start to show signs of confusion and forgetfulness, sometimes not recognizing us, the sadness starts to set in. Especially when we have been close to them and they have been our best friend and pillar of strength. I totally understand [...]

Early Onset Alzheimer’s- Emotional & Mind Body Connection

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Could there be a mind body connection for Alzheimer’s? I am seeing a correlation between certain personality types of persons who develop Alzheimer’s. Usually people who have it has gone through a lot in life, and developed a kind of mental toughness that is unyielding which they need it to survive usually a tough childhood [...]

Considerations before placing an Alzheimer/Dementia patient on tube feeding

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It is said 65 percent of Alzheimer’s or dementia patients would develop dysphagia, ie gradually losing the swallowing reflex towards the end stage of their disease. Even though they could still swallow, the quantity of fluid and nutrients is no longer sufficient to keep them alive for long. Hence, the decision would have to be [...]

Phlegm Suction for Dysphagia/ Nasogastric Feeding Patients

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Massive buildup of mucus and phlegm is a common side effect that comes with nasogastric tube insertion (putting in a Ryles/ nose tube). Normally, while it is irritating to have so much of mucus, most of us are able to either swallow it to our stomach or spit it out. However in the case of [...]

Tube Feeding Schedule and Administering Medication

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Below is the feeding schedule provided by the hospital in Thailand where my mother is currently being treated. Usually the schedule is also applied to other patients who are fitted with a nasogastric tube due to other illnesses such as stroke or neurological disorders. The objective of this post is to give you a general [...]

How to prepare food for tube feeding by Siriraj

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This is based on a video in Thai by Siriraj PR channel. Siriraj is one of the main hospital located in Bangkok, Thailand. The video contains the ingredients, utensils, preparation and storage of food for tube feeding made mainly from fresh ingredients. VIDEO FROM SIRIRAJ PR https://youtu.be/0iepfbQMcC4 Note: I try to translate on best effort [...]