Time to think about end of life decisions

David Boraks — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:22:15 +0000

When my mother was in the final days of her life because of cigarette-related lung cancer a decade ago, my siblings and I had an important tool that let us focus on saying goodbye and grieving – and not on the confusing, chaotic decision making that often surrounds critical illness. My mom had an advance directive, or living will, that made the most important decision for us: She asked not to be kept alive by extraordinary means.

In her final hours, we sat with her in the hospice wing of Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Conn. A nurse occasionally strolled in to check her condition, or to adjust the painkillers aimed at easing her passing. We held her hand as she slipped away peacefully. It was a sad moment – mom was only 65 years old – but it was as easy as one could possibly imagine.

Saturday, April 16, is National Healthcare Decisions Day, set aside to promote awareness of planning for important end of life decisions.

I was thinking about this the other day after a conversation with Mac Herring. He’s a hospice nurse and director of professional relations at Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley. He said he’s in the midst of a campaign to promote the day – and the practice of advance directives.

It’s an important consideration for any of us, whether young or old. While my mom’s ending came from a predictable (and horrible) illness related to her lifelong addition to cigarettes, an accident could leave any of us in the same situation. And we can help those around us with critical decisions by planning ahead.

In his work he sees people struggling with these decisions.

“Families usually struggle with end-of-life decisions because they have not discussed with the patient their specific wishes. Often end-of-life decisions are made during times of crisis,” Mr. Herring said. “Having end-of-life care conversations as an ongoing review help to keep those caregivers who will ultimately be faced with making these decisions more comfortable that they are following the patient’s wishes.

“Open and honest discussions regarding end-of-life care are beneficial for everyone, not just those needing Hospice Services,” he said.

Mr. Herring urges people to take time this month to review their Advanced Directives and begin ongoing conversations with loved ones. This can include a statement of your wishes – a living will – and a health care power of attorney that will ensure those around you have the power to make those important decisions.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information on National Health Care Decisions Day or Advanced Directives, please go to:
www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org, www.pchcv.org or www.seriousillness.org/lakenorman

Copies of the North Carolina Living Will & Health care Power of Attourney can be found on the www.seriousillness.org/lakenorman website under the tab for “Important Decisions.”

Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley is building a Hospice House in Sherrill’s Ford and currently serves residents in the Lake Norman area including the communities of Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville as well as Iredell, Lincoln, & Catawba counties.

David Boraks is the executive editor of DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.

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Time to think about end of life decisions