Mother Talkers

View Story | 8 comments

  • asdf (0 / 0)

    Doctors are supposed to do everything possible to save a patient whether they are 10 or 100.

    Doctors are discussing this very issue in terms of a pandemic. This article talks about who they will help/save in the event of a vast reduction in staff, resources, and space. It opens up some very interesting, and ethical, issues that Americans really don't like to talk/think about.

    Insofar as "slow medicine" is concerned, I think education is key: family members need to find out the physical and financial discomforts, recovery and rehabilitation realities, etc. and help older folks make sound, informed decisions. Much easier said than done, however.

    by GiGi on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:24:28 AM PDT

    • and hard to raise with your folks... (0 / 0)

      it isn't easy to talk to your parents about wills and how they want their health decisions around end of life.  it was easy for me as both my parents raised it themselves.  one way the discussion perhaps to approach is discussing end of life experiences for one of their friends or a family member.

      by parentalunit1 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:35:21 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • Having parents that (0 / 0)

        talk about these things is the best.  One of the best gifts my late mother in law gave my husband and I was discussing with us, for years, what she wanted done when the time came.  She'd just casually bring these things up.  She left  a living will outlining her wishes officially.

        by tjb22 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 02:21:22 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      • absolutely (0 / 0)

        I'm really fortunate that my folks have been pragmatic about this and have left detailed instructions and orally told my sister and I what they expect. Since my dad's father had Alzheimer's, they have also included instructions should that happen.

        DH and I have also talked about what we expect for ourselves as well. I think we need to write explicit instructions as well, now that I think about it.

        by Rachel on Tue May 06, 2008 at 03:37:05 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

View Story | 8 comments