Patients with dementia often subjected to aggressive treatments, transfers.

The New York Times  "The New Old Age" blog reported that "dementia patients are often subjected to aggressive treatments and transfers, even though studies show little benefit," according to a study published online Jan. 10 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. In a study involving "more than 300 patients with advanced dementia in Boston-area nursing homes over a period of 18 months," researchers also found that the majority of "hospital trips occurred when patients developed respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia, a common and recurring problem when dementia progresses to its final stages." The study's lead author estimated that approximately three-quarters of hospitalizations could be avoided.