More Scrutiny of End-of-Life Issues
Recently I wrote about the need for families to discuss end-of-life issues, mentioning that most people say they want to die at home, but around half die in a hospital. A new study shows that patients in the United States are five times more likely to have spent some of their last days in an intensive care unit (ICU) than patients in England. When patients were over 85, U.S. patients were more than eight times more likely to have been in ICU. In the midst of our national debate about health care, it's worth pondering the implications of this information.
In a news release, lead author Dr. Hannah Wunsch summarized the study as being about "[w]hether less intensive care for very elderly patients who are dying is a form of rationing, or is actually better recognition of what constitutes appropriate care at the end of life," saying that the issue "warrants further research."
As grandparents, we should be devoting some thought to our own mortality. Many children have their first experience with death when a grandparent dies. Some grandparents will die suddenly, in circumstances beyond their control. Others, however, can have input into how their last days are spent. It's worth spending some time thinking about what your wishes will be if you happen to fall into that second group. It could make a difference to those who are left behind.
Read more about preparing for and dealing with a grandparent death.
This is a topic I think about. I know it is probably now closer than it once was. I do not want to die at home. My father in law wanted that, but he was moved to a hospice. That is what I really want. I do not want ICU because I do not want the extreme measures taken.
I don’t want to die at home because in my opinion, it could make my home a little strange to the grandchildren. I don’t want that.
From what I could see, hospice is a good alternative. I have dealt with hospice three times now, and I am very impressed. My step mother, my dad, and my father in law all were in hospice care at the end. It was as good an experience as death of a loved one can be.