A Personal Response to End of Life Care The Importance of Planning End of life planning is of critical importance to everyone at an age that they typically care for themselves. Growing up, we have parents and/or caregivers that take care of us and make important decisions concerning medical intervention and healthcare. As we grow older and begin living independent lives, it is important to make sure that, given situations that we are unable to speak for ourselves, our personal wishes concerning these issues can, and will, be carried out. For me, being forty, it is important that planning is in place that will not only ensure the medical care I may want carried out during a health crisis, but also what financial plans, organ donation and funeral arrangements should be made upon my passing. This not only ensures my wishes, it also relieves any pressure and responsibility my family may feel dealing with the situation and makes it clear what I want done. Advance Directives and Worldview Due to my Christian worldview, I look at the end of life as a new beginning and a transition from this world to Heaven. With this in mind, I feel that death is not something that I necessarily should fear. This view also affects how I feel about the medical aspect of trying to prolong my life through artificial means. I believe that God ultimately presides over life and death, if it is my time to go, I don’t want machines keeping my body alive. As Ecclesiastes 12:7 reminds us, “… the spirit
Sacrament, Pope Leo X, St. Peter 's Basilica, Edict of Worms, Peasant 's War, Habsburg-Valois Wars, Suleiman the Magnificent, Schmalkaldic Wars, Peace of Augsburg
I recognize that modern medical technology has made possible the artificial prolongation of my life beyond natural limits. I do not wish to artificially prolong the process of my dying if continued health care will not improve my prognosis for recovery and my death is likely to occur within several months, or if I require life support as the result of an irreversible condition, even if that life support might prolong my life for a sustained period. Therefore, I do not want efforts
.“As medical technology continues to advance and health care choices become more complicated, the preservation of end-of-life autonomy is an increasingly important issue faced by various client populations.” (Galambos, 1998).
The importance of end of life issues and decisions are now being discussed at the time of admission to most acute care and long term acute care facilities. More attention is being placed on these specific decisions to ensure that the patient's
They were the subjects of public disputes with family members, court systems, medical professionals, the media, and society at large. Terri Schiavo, Nancy Cruzan and Karen Ann Quinlan; their names are synonymous with permanent vegetative state (PVS). The amazing technological advancements in modern medicine has been credited with keeping persons alive who in times past would have died, therefore this is remarkable for countless families. In the cases of the Quinlan’s, the Cruzan’s and many like them, families members find it unbearable to witness loved ones who linger indefinitely in PVS with little or no chance for recovery. There are many like Terri Schiavo’s parents, who value the lives of their love ones no matter how limited their
We have to learn to balance the spectrum for the quality and quantity of life. Next, we have to discuss the biblical, theological, and cultural perspectives on end of life issues. Then, we will view potential impact on afterlife outcomes. Also, we will discuss variables involved in potential life trajectories. Finally, we will discuss challenges of integrated personal preferences and public policy in end of life standards and
Last year 23 September 2012. I had a resident called “Mrs X” she was a 72year-old widowed living at ---, a Nursing Care Home. She’s not a religious type of person as she was Atheist. She has lived in the home for the past two years, and during that time I was assigned as her key worker. Mrs X had One Son and 3 grand daughters they are all regular visitors to the home. She has recently been diagnosed with renal failure, and her life expectancy is only a couple of months without dialysis. In the past Mrs X has made it clear that when her “time comes” she wants to be able to stay at Belmont House, and “go quietly”. She has stated that she does not want any treatment that will prolong her life. This means
This film explains the legal role of advance directives in end of life issues. An advance directive is “a written document directing how medical decisions are to be made in the future when the patient lacks decisional capacity and is unable to decide and choose” (Hanlon, End of Life Issues, Slide 28, Bullet 1). All three of the cases demonstrate the importance in filling out some form of directive. When there is nothing to go off of, it makes decisions extremely tough for families and medical providers. Having legal documentation of patient wishes helps understand what treatments they would or would not consent to. In cases like
With an increasing aging population and growing numbers of individuals with chronic conditions, it is important for individuals to prepare for end-of-life care. An Advance Directive is a defined as a “legal document that provides data to critical care staff about patients’ wishes, especially when critical illness decreases decision-making ability” (McAdam, Stotts, Padilla, and Puntillo, 2005). An Advance Directive also allows for better communication between the patient and doctor, and preserves the autonomy of patients. It may also alleviate one’s family from any possible burden of uncertainty of one’s wishes. It provides guidance, which may avert arguments with family members concerning treatment choices (Cedars Sinai, 2015). The Patient
Key people could be family, doctors, carers, religious leaders etc. Each may own distinctive role to play in order for the choices and preferences of the individual to be respected and carried out. [ Every person’s end-of-life trajectory is different and needs differ in intensity and quality over time. End-of-life care must adapt to the varying and changing needs of the individual over time and that it cannot be limited to certain settings or services. The provision of good
With major advancement in medical treatments, it is now possible to keep a patient alive, which would not have been possible in former times. This has made end of life issue one of the most controversial issues in healthcare. Medical improvements have set the stage for ethical and legal controversies about not only the patient’s rights but also the family’s rights and the medical profession’s proper role. It is critical that any decision made in such situation is ethical and legal to preserve the rights of the patient and also protect the healthcare institution involved. It is very important when making decisions to discontinue treatments to make sure all other alternatives have been explored.
A person’s life can end at any age. They can depart quickly or slowly. End of life care, also known as palliative care, is the care of patients that are not only in their final hours or days but the patients with a terminal illness that has become incurable. End of life care takes into mind what the patient desires so it is recommended that they consider an advanced care plan also known as an advance directive and living will. These documents allow the patient to formulate decisions on the future of their care if, at any point, they cannot vocally express themselves.
Throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne displays powerful feminist ideas and behaviors present in many of the novel’s characters especially Hester Prynne. As the personalities and beliefs of the characters in The Scarlet Letter develop, rebellious acts against the traditional ways of Puritanical life unfold. Hawthorne depicts the rebellious nature of Hester, her daughter Pearl, and a few others to demonstrate the severe impacts these individuals have on the oppressing Puritan society, as well as the importance of breaking free from the strict and harsh Puritan lifestyle. Hawthorne reveals his bias mainly through Hester Prynne, the defiant anarchist and main character in the novel. By making Hester society’s antagonist,
Upon reflection of the Five Wishes, several thoughts came to mind. First and foremost, having a designated advanced directive is critical. There are countless examples of clinical experiences in with which families were overwhelmed with unexpected end-of-life decisions. As an educated caregiver, we should personally take the necessary steps to assure these tough decisions are known to someone who can facilitate the level of care desired. Such consideration of these elements of care in advance can help to support our loved ones during this emotional time. After review of the five wishes, I recognized that I would not want life-support measures if faced with irreversible deleterious outcomes that resulted from
Following successful completion of a Master’s degree in Science Communication and Society, I feel assured that pursuing a PhD in Social Justice and Education would be the next step to develop both my professional and personal interest in the education sector. As part of the dissertation for this degree, I had the opportunity to explore the topic of public engagement with STEM subjects through a series of taught modules, culminating in a dissertation entitled “The ‘Shortage’ of Skilled Scientists: An evaluation of the factors that impact on the progression to STEM education and industry”. My interest in this area largely stems from my own educational journey and through my role as Partner Schools Manager at the University of Kent in which I lead a small team responsible for the delivery of the Universities’ Widening Participation activities. The transition to studying for an interdisciplinary degree after previously being scientifically trained did present challenges (particularly when working full-time) however, I also found this to be extremely rewarding and believe my training both in the sciences and humanities has well equipped me for pursuing this PhD.