Dementia

Nov 07

0

When It Comes to End-of-Life, Some Are Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands

By Kevyn Burger | Advance Directives, Choice, Dementia, Dying, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Medical Aid in Dying, Mental Illness, Religion, Right-to-Die Laws, Spirituality, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die, VSED | 4 Comments

With or without Medical Aid in Dying, VSED offers a legal option; a new book explains all the ins and outs from every angle.

Oct 31

0

Is There an “Epidemic” of Suicide Among the Elderly?

By Ruth Dixon-Mueller | Choice, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Medical Aid in Dying, Mental Illness, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 11 Comments

If we believe much of what we read, suicide by U.S. seniors is running rampant. Don’t believe it. Some of those “suicidal” folks are making rational decisions to retire from a life well lived that is no longer worth extending.

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.

Aug 15

2

Why I Joined Final Exit Network

By Anonymous | Advance Directives, Choice, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Mental Illness, Suffering and Death, The Right to Die | 2 Comments

A past experience with his beloved, suffering wife, and a staunch belief to not go down the dementia rabbit-hole, led “Andrew” to join Final Exit Network. Read to find out why.

Aug 08

0

Advance Directives Are Key To EOL Success (Maybe). Take Charge.

By Jim Van Buskirk | Advance Directives, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, VSED | One Comment

Despite your best intentions, don’t wait until “five minutes to midnight” to take care of your end-of-life plan.

Aug 01

0

Pets vs. Humans: A Difference In Compassion, And In Knowing What The Patient Desires

By Lamar Hankins | Choice, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Medical Aid in Dying, Suffering and Death, Surrogate, The Right to Die | 7 Comments

It’s a pillar of the RTD movement, that we treat our suffering pets more humanely than suffering friends and family members. “Let me die like a dog” has long been a call to compassion. The author went through the agonizing decision to “put down” a beloved canine companion, and he regrets not knowing what “Woody” would have wanted.

Jul 25

2

Surrogate Challenges Can Overwhelm Even An Experienced Hospice RN

By Helen Bauer | Advance Directives, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Funeral Planning, Grief, Mental Illness, Surrogate | 2 Comments

“Sleep deprivation amplified every emotion and wore me down quickly,” she said. She was exhausted, angry, and felt guilty. She was “flying blind” to be the surrogate as Betty neared death – and she was a trained, experienced hospice RN. What does that say about your chance of being an effective surrogate?

Jul 18

4

DWD Laws Leave More Unanswered Than They Address

By Katie Engelhart | Choice, Death With Dignity Act, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Medical Aid in Dying, Mental Illness, Organ and Tissue Donation, PAD, Religion, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 7 Comments

On the surface, continued passage of U.S. death-with-dignity laws appears favorable for the RTD cause. But the landscape is littered with potholes, land mines, and detours that raise more questions than the new laws address.

May 09

4