End-of-life care

Sep 27

1

Death Cafe Oakland

By Bill Palmer | Advance Directives, Choice, Death With Dignity Act, Dying, End-of-life care, Medical Aid in Dying, PAD, Pandemic, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, The Right to Die | 13 Comments

Bill Palmer shares some reflections and insights as founder of Death Cafe Oakland in California.

Sep 20

1

The Hidden Gifts of Fear and Anger

By Kevin Bradley | Advance Directives, Choice, Dementia, Dying, End-of-life care, Mental Illness, Suffering and Death, The Right to Die | 7 Comments

Has anyone told you to not be afraid or angry when making end-of-life decisions? They were wrong.

Sep 13

3

Reflecting on Death and Dying in the Time of COVID

By Barak Wolff | Advance Directives, Dementia, End-of-life care, Hospice, VSED | One Comment

Does COVID-19 have a silver lining for advocates of death with dignity? Barak Wolff of New Mexico End-of-Life Options Coalition thinks so.

Aug 23

3

Most Mexicans Fear Death and Don’t Talk About It

By Asuncion Alvarez | End-of-life care, Medical Aid in Dying, Pandemic, The Right to Die | One Comment

Does celebrating the Day of the Dead mean Mexicans welcome death? Not necessarily, according to one prominent end-of-life expert in Mexico.

Aug 16

3

A Coordinator’s Perspective

By Susie Y. | End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Q & A, Suffering and Death, The Right to Die | 8 Comments

Guest contributor Susie Y. offers a glimpse into the role of Coordinator, the first point of contact for anyone seeking guidance from FEN.

Jul 26

1

Transition–an end and a new beginning

By Lamar Hankins | End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Right-to-Die Laws | 8 Comments

This blog post represents the end of three years of work for me. In August, responsibility for the blog is being transferred to the capable hands of FEN board member Kevin Bradley.

Nov 03

0

Excerpts from the book “Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life”–PART 2

By Dr. Jessica Nutik Zitter, MD, MPH | End-of-life care | No Comments

Dr. Jessica Nutik Zitter, MD, MPH, shares two more vignettes from her book “Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life.” The book provides an insider’s view of intensive care in America and its impact on how we die.

Oct 27

1

Excerpts from the book “Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life”–Part 1

By Dr. Jessica Nutik Zitter, MD, MPH | End-of-life care | 6 Comments

This week’s post includes two vignettes from the book “Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life” by Dr. Jessica Nutik Zitter, MD, MPH. The book provides an insider’s view of intensive care in America and its impact on how we die. Part 2 will appear next week.

Sep 22

1

Is a “good death” a viable option

By Lamar Hankins | Advance Directives, Dementia, End-of-life care | 3 Comments

Two weeks ago, I spoke to about twenty people at the regular weekly meeting of the Ethical Society of Austin (Texas). The topic was the seven choices available to a person who becomes afflicted with dementia. I began by asking what, for them, are the characteristics of a “good death.” In about ten minutes, the group offered ideas that suggest a “good death” is a viable option, with some universal characteristics, in spite of some voices to the contrary.

Sep 15

0

Options near the end of life–Exploring Parkinson’s

By Lamar Hankins | End-of-life care | 4 Comments

My wife and I had occasion to visit some old friends in California recently. We have known one member of the couple since 1962, when we started college together. We last saw them almost three years ago and have stayed in touch through email and phone calls. David has Parkinson’s Disease (PD), so we knew that we would likely find him in worse shape than the last time we saw him, when his main symptom was a slight tremor in his hands and a shuffling gait when he walked. Lois had given us reports that he was working on therapies to counter the effects of the Parkinson’s.