End of Life Issues
There are many topics that the elderly and their families may not like to think about if they are uncomfortable with the topics of death and dying, but sometimes it may be necessary to review end of life issues. Some of these subjects can be addressed at any time; it may actually be advantageous to make decisions about end of life issues when everyone in the family is still healthy and coherent so there isn’t any undue influence.
The National Institutes of Health is an excellent resource for many of these topics. Among the most important are advance directives, which are legal documents that outline what the patient would want in many different types of scenarios if they are unable to communicate. This can be because they have had a stroke or are put on some sort of life support and are unconscious. A living will can outline how the patient feels about life sustaining measures such as: life support and breathing machines; dialysis; resuscitation if heartbeat or breathing stops; feeding through a tube; if a doctor diagnoses the patient as brain dead; and organ and tissue donation. The patient should choose someone they trust to be their durable power of attorney and have them legally appointed to make these decisions if the time ever comes.






