The Gift | Grace Cherian, BA, MTS: Professional Writer and Mental ...

December 11th, 2012 ? Posted by Grace under

Choosing where to die
Today far too many Americans do not die in the way they would choose. Surveys indicate, for instance, 90% of people say they want to die at home surrounded by family. Only 10% will say in a hospital or nursing home, according to Donna Wilson, professor of nursing at the University of Alberta and a researcher into dying in Canada.

But instead 70% die in hospitals and other health care facilities, often spending their last weeks in intensive care units. In some cases this may be necessary, but in many cases it isn?t.

Wilson?s most recent survey focuses on the dying preferences of Albertans but other research from Canada and around the world over the past two decades confirms these results. The surveys include both healthy and terminally ill people.

Few cancer patients have had a ?realistic conversation? with health care providers
More disturbingly, fewer than 40% of advanced cancer patients have had a ?realistic conversation? with their own health care providers about what to expect and their options for care.

Consequences: Aggressive futile end-of-life care for cancer patients
The consequences? The American Society of Clinical Oncology says too often patients aren?t told about options like comfort care or even that their chemo has become futile until the bitter end. Patients are increasingly receiving aggressive chemotherapy in the last two weeks of their life. They?re spending more of their last months hospitalized.

Palliative care seen as giving up
Doctors think palliative care?specialized care for pain, nausea, shortness of breath?means giving up when it should be offered with standard anti-tumour care.

Home deaths can be a positive experience
When patients and their families have adequate support at home the experience of a home death can be very positive for everyone, says Wilson.

?Your loved ones are there to talk to; families have an opportunity to talk together and heal wounds or develop strong bonds and dying people can thank their family members and give final advice.?

Dying at home helps both the dying patient and society as a whole. More people dying comfortably at home will mean more hospital beds for patients who can benefit from hospital services. According to Wilson, ??aggressive, expensive, painful and futile? care in hospital is often avoided when patients are able to die at home.

The Conversation Project (TCP)
The goal of The Conversation Project is as bold as it is simple:? to have every person?s end-of-life (EOL) preferences expressed and respected. It began when Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Ellen Goodman and a group of colleagues and friends?doctors, care providers, clergy, and media?began sharing their stories of ?good deaths? and ?bad deaths? within their own circle of loved ones. They talked about how they faced a confusing array of medical decisions and uncertainty about the wishes of parents, spouses, and friends.

TCP provides a safe, dynamic and interactive forum where families can learn from each other and care providers can more fully understand how crucial their role is in this important life passage, not by influencing choices but by encouraging the conversation. When we open up a space for this discussion or discussions, we can all make our wishes known for our EOL care.

The Conversation Project has just launched ?The Gift? tool designed to help families share the gift of the conversation this holiday season. This is the most important conversation you?ll ever have.

Offer yourselves and those you love peace of mind. Share ?The Gift? this holiday season. Download ?The Gift? tool and start the conversation now.

References:
CBC. ca news: Choosing where to die
The American Society of Clinical Oncology
The Conversation Project

Source: http://www.gracecherian.com/home-page/the-gift/

westminster dog show valentines day cards hallmark grammy winners obama budget woolly mammoth