Althea Halchuck

Feb 18

11

The Old Man’s Friend: Refuse Antibiotics To Achieve A Peaceful Death

By Althea Halchuck | Advance Directives, End-of-life care, Living Will, Medical Aid in Dying, POLST, Suffering and Death, Surrogate | 8 Comments

“The legal method I suggest most for a dignified and peaceful death is to stop all treatments, especially antibiotics.”

Mar 19

1

You’re Suing Me BECAUSE I Kept Your Husband Alive?

By Althea Halchuck | Advance Directives, Dementia, DNR, End-of-life care, End-of-Life Planning, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, Living Will, MOLST, Paliative Care, POLST, Suffering and Death, Surrogate, The Right to Die | 5 Comments

“They made the end of his life horrible and painful and humiliating,” Elaine Greenberg said. “What’s the sense of having a living will if it’s not honored?”

Oct 09

2

A Bad Death: The Importance of Truth-Telling at End-of-Life

By Althea Halchuck | Choice, Death With Dignity, End-of-life care, Hospice, Paliative Care, Suffering and Death, Surrogate | 3 Comments

“Death would not be called bad, O people, if one knew how to truly die.”
— Nanak

Feb 13

2

Two Heads Are Not Always Better Than One

By Althea Halchuck | Advance Directives, Choice, Dementia, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Surrogate, The Right to Die | 5 Comments

When it comes to your healthcare surrogate, do NOT name co-advocates!

Oct 24

8

What Ways Can You Die When You’ve Had Enough of Life?

By Althea Halchuck | Advance Directives, ALS, Choice, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Grief, Medical Aid in Dying, Mental Illness, POLST, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Suicide, Surrogate, The Right to Die, VSED | 13 Comments

When you believe it’s time to go, what options do you really have? There are more than you you think, without having to resort to a violent ending.

Sep 19

0

There Is No Autopilot for Navigating Advance Directives

By Althea Halchuck | Advance Directives, Choice, Dying, Final Exit Network, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Surrogate, The Right to Die, VSED | One Comment

Having a firm Advance Directive is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your end-of-life wishes are honored. But it can be tricky to obtain the right document(s) you need.

Aug 29

0

That Glorious Last Summer: A Patient Says No to Chemo

By Althea Halchuck | Advance Directives, Choice, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Suffering and Death, The Right to Die | 7 Comments

What do dying people do when friends, family, and healthcare providers urge them not to give up, to “keep fighting” to the last, and to try everything possible to cheat death? Sometimes, they assert their absolute right to decide what’s best – and enjoy one last, glorious summer.

Apr 25

7