I think that comfort feeding is a great alternative to a very difficult decision that families face in considering a feeding tube. In retrospect, I think my mother used this approach in the 1980s when she was caring for my maternal grandmother who had undiagnosed dementia. But at that point, Mom was a small business owner who could get away to the nursing home when she needed to be there. For someone else who is in a 9-to-5 office job, this approach will be difficult. Although some people have the financial resources to be able to hire someone to help with this type of feeding, many do not. Still, I’d suggest that if you can think creatively – perhaps by asking family members or friends to help out with feedings – you may be able to make sure your loved one is nourished and avoid the stressful decision about a feeding tube.