Family Communication and Decision-Making in Feeding Options for Chinese American Persons With Advanced Dementia

TL;DR

This study explores how Chinese American families make feeding decisions for loved ones with advanced dementia, emphasizing the role of communication and cultural values.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into culturally specific factors influencing feeding decisions in Chinese American families caring for individuals with advanced dementia.

Findings

Feeding decisions are often made collectively with deference to medical professionals and elder family members.

Cultural values like filial piety and concerns about prolonging life drive feeding tube use despite doubts.

Open communication and shared values help families align decisions with their loved ones' wishes.

Abstract

Feeding difficulties commonly arise as dementia progresses to its advanced stages. Although research consistently shows that feeding tubes offer no clinical advantage, they continue to be widely used among Asian populations, particularly within the Chinese American community. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design to examine examines how family communication shaped feeding choices among 21 caregivers of Chinese American individuals with advanced dementia. Using semi-structured interviews, data were analyzed thematically to examine the influence of cultural values, family dynamics, and healthcare interactions in shaping feeding decisions. Findings highlight that feeding decisions are often made collectively, with strong deference to medical professionals and elder family members. Caregivers frequently struggle with navigating differing family perspectives, emotional distress, and decisional uncertainty, particularly in the absence of advance directives. Concerns about nutrition, prolonging life, and filial piety drive many families toward feeding tube insertion, even when caregivers express doubts. External pressures from healthcare providers and cultural expectations can further complicate decision-making. However, open family communication, shared values, and mutual understanding facilitated more cohesive decision-making, allowing families to align feeding choices with the perceived wishes of their loved ones. These findings underscore the critical need for culturally tailored decision-making support, early discussion of feeding preferences, and improved provider-family communication. Strengthening communication pathways within families and between families and healthcare providers can empower caregivers, reduce unnecessary feeding tube use, and enhance end-of-life care experiences for Chinese American families navigating advanced dementia care.