The Last Acts electronic newsletter recently alerted its readers to an article discussing the use of feeding tubes. According to the article, feeding tubes are given to more than one-third of nursing home patients who have advanced dementia. A number of studies have shown that the use of feeding tubes in these patients is not beneficial, and some studies have found that feeding tubes may actually cause harm. The Last Acts article discusses possible reasons for the continued use of feeding tubes, despite their lack of benefit, as well as the factors that may make a person more likely to receive a feeding tube.