Feeding: What It Means to Patients and Caregivers and How These Views Influence Singaporean Chinese Caregivers’ Decisions to Continue Feeding at the End of Life

Introduction: The decision-making process underlying caregivers’ choice to continue feeding at the end of life is not well understood. Objectives: To provide a better understanding of the complex interplay of factors that influence the decision by caregivers to continue feeding. Methods: Palliative care patients and their main caregiver recruited at National Cancer Centre Singapore between May and July 2011 were included. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: One hundred respondents were included. Three major prevailing themes were identified: filial piety, source of hope, and expression of affection. Nonparametric statistical testing showed that patients and caregivers shared similar views about feeding at the end of life. Discussion: The major themes identified above undergird the caregiver’s decision to continue feeding at the end of life.