----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 4:20
PM
Subject: End of Life Issues
Although
not related to MDS, I have to throw this out to the group. Have a resident
with end stage lung disease, under Hospice care. His son has POA, and is
requesting that all meds R/T pulmonary condition, including O2 and neb TX be
provided on a �as requested by resident� basis. His reasoning is that those
meds would prolong the resident�s life since they are used to treat the lung
condition, and that is not what the resident would have wanted. The resident
is not capable to request any meds, and the son is aware of this. He is
requesting that the resident only receive Morphine and Ativan for comfort.
When asked why he did not want all meds D/C, i.e., antidepressant, antiulcer
meds, etc, he stated he would like to continue the other meds, as they were
not R/T the terminal illness. The
resident was admitted last April, was still alert with intermittent confusion.
He is now no longer able to make health care decisions, but did never mention
that he did not want the meds R/T his terminal illness since admission. He is
not declared incompetent but the son is enforcing his POA. He states that he
speaks as his father (not on his behalf). It was explained that the resident
may experience discomfort if the meds are not administered, and that they
would not prolong his life, the son has made his decision. He feels that the
meds would prolong the resident�s live because without them, he would die
sooner. Any thoughts?
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