Gastric tube in the elderly, necessity or cost saving ? My mother is in an old people's home. She eats and drinks very slowly. Sometimes she swallows herself. Now it was suggested to me to put a stomach tube at my mother's place. The (alleged) reason for it: Complaints while swallowing. But I suspect that this is mainly a cost saving. My mother needs one hour a day to eat and drink. During this time she has to be supervised. With a stomach tube, food and drink would simply run into her. Now my questions: how dangerous the operation is, What does liquid food cost? there are consequential damages or problems with this diet thank you for your answers...