End Of Life Decisions
Death and dying is an inevitable phase to encounter as one progresses through life. Decisions that need to be made as the final stages of life come to a close can be done in comfort if there is knowledge about some of the basic issues that are faced when end of life decisions are made.
The main issue seems to be to have the end come with dignity, comfort and peace. Other issues will center on maintaining as much physical comfort as possible as each body system starts the process of shutting down. There are also issues of spiritual and emotional support and well-being. The process of releasing the body, spirit and emotions from this world involves dealing with relationship issues, placement and care of minor children, seeing to the medical needs concerning pain and other physical comforts. Most of the end of life decisions regarding financial or property should have already been addressed by this point unless the death is sudden. If necessary any unfinished business will be a priority in order to grant the individual peace.
Deciding on where to die and how to die are decisions that the dying individual should make and if dementia is present or the individual is in a coma than the individual making the decisions should do so in the best interest of the dying individual with special attention being paid to understanding and following what they would wish based on past lifestyle actions, their belief system.
End of life decisions are often emotional ones especially if children are involved. If at all possible the dying individual should be treated with dignity and given as much comfort and peace as possible. Spiritual and emotional support should be offered by caring individuals.
Sometimes the end of life decisions involve medical methods. All must be done to avoid invasive procedures. Use of medical equipment such as a ventilator must be weighted against the natural process that the body is more than capable of rendering if given the chance.
End of life decisions may revolve around caregiver issues, health conditions, legal issues, and comfort measures. The dying individual will be going through the process of not only shutting down physically but also shutting down in other ways that will assist them in successfully detaching from this world.
It will be necessary for decisions to be made regarding any pain treatments, artificial nutrition and hydration if these measures are to be taken. If the individual is unable to communicate than the family members or close friends will need to intervene by looking at the lifestyle, beliefs and wishes made previously known by way of verbal or written communication in order to decide what the individual would want to have done in all matters of his/her death.
The individual may have designed an "advanced directive" that stipulates many of these end of life decisions. Usually the existence of this directive is known to the attending doctor, clergy, and attorney and also to family and friends.
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