My wife has a feeding tube and it causes the occasional discomfort. A "button" tube is the way to go. less apt to pull it out with dementia and less pain. Most of the pain comes from the Stoma or insertion site or the tube getting pulled on. Otherwise it jsut becomes a part of them and they dont notice. The button tube is less of an adjustment.
As far as maintenance... there is hardly any for the patient. Just keep bacitracin around it to avoid cracking of the stoma. If you have ANY questions about Peg tubes feel free to PM me.
Jevity is a supplement they will probably start her on.... also you can puree (sp?) food and put it in. I have a bunch of tricks for that as well.
|