“…[F]eeding tubes do not necessarily prolong life in patients with advanced dementia, and …surveys indicate that a vast majority of nursing home residents say they would rather die than live with a feeding tube.

But medical orders like “no artificial hydration and nutrition” — used to indicate that the patient should not be given a feeding tube — are often interpreted as “do not feed.” And few people can tolerate the idea that a loved one may be starving to death.

Comfort feeding offers another alternative.” (NYTimes.com)