The known unknowns of assisted hydration at the end of life

Abstract

Much is unknown about assisted hydration at the end of life: why rates of usage vary so highly between institutions, cultures and countries, what beneficial or burdensome effects this treatment has, whether there is a place for subcutaneous hydration in the home setting, and how best to communicate about this difficult topic with dying people and their families. In light of a recently published systematic review concerning the impact of assisted hydration at the end of life, this article explores these questions and related issues, concluding that individualisation and shared decision-making are essential aspects of high-quality end-of-life care.