Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is a way of providing nutrition when children and adults living at home cannot eat and drink normally or get enough food or drink to keep them well and healthy. HEN can be a nutritional supplement drink, thickened fluids, or a special formula given by a tube into the stomach or bowel (this is called tube feeding).
People may need HEN for a range of different reasons, such as:
- Not being able to eat or drink enough to meet their nutritional needs through food alone
- Swallowing problems after a stroke or treatment for head and neck cancer
- Physical or intellectual disability that causes difficulty with eating or drinking
- Being unable to absorb enough nutrition from food or drinks due to bowel disease or surgery
Our Accredited Practising Dietitian can help you work out what food, drink or nutrition formula you need to stay healthy, and can order nutritional drinks, formula and some HEN equipment (such as feeding sets and pumps) for you. Some HEN products can be purchased at the supermarket or over the counter at the chemist. However, some people who require HEN for a longer period of time may be able to obtain their HEN products at lower prices, delivered to their home.
You may get HEN if you live in a private home, supported accommodation service (eg. Group home) or alternative family placement. Some residents in aged care homes may not be eligible and are funded by the federal government.