End of Life
Kristin Adler
Contemporary Moral Problems
December 15, 2009
End of Life
I would like to start off by answering two questions: “What is a person? and “What is death?” When I started looking up a definition for “person” it amazed me how many different variations there are. I feel that a person is one that is recognized by the law and has rights and duties. A person also has the moral right to make its own life-choices and to live without interference from others. Death is an eternal termination of all vital functions. The website death-and-dying.org says “death is the cessation of the connection between our mind and our body”. I do agree with this statement with the thought that when death occurs our consciousness leaves the body to go on to the next life.
Dying is the final portion of the life cycle for all of us here on earth. Providing excellent, humane care to patients near the end of life, when healing means are either no longer possible or, no longer desired by the patient, is an essential part of medicine. For physicians and health care providers to provide excellent care to dying patients and their families, they need expertise as well as compassion. Making excellent care for dying patients regularly available will require improvements in the professional education. There should be added teachings on the life of and the care of a terminal person. The care of the dying patient, like all medical care, should be guided by the values and preferences of the individual patient. Independence and dignity are central issues for many dying patients. Maintaining control and not being a burden can also be relevant concerns. I believe the patient “maintaining control” is the first concern of someone who has been given a terminal diagnosis. Sometimes the hardest part about dying is the effect it has on family and friends. Helping them deal with the pending death also helps the patient find peace and comfort. By maintaining control of medical
Contemporary Moral Problems
December 15, 2009
End of Life
I would like to start off by answering two questions: “What is a person? and “What is death?” When I started looking up a definition for “person” it amazed me how many different variations there are. I feel that a person is one that is recognized by the law and has rights and duties. A person also has the moral right to make its own life-choices and to live without interference from others. Death is an eternal termination of all vital functions. The website death-and-dying.org says “death is the cessation of the connection between our mind and our body”. I do agree with this statement with the thought that when death occurs our consciousness leaves the body to go on to the next life.
Dying is the final portion of the life cycle for all of us here on earth. Providing excellent, humane care to patients near the end of life, when healing means are either no longer possible or, no longer desired by the patient, is an essential part of medicine. For physicians and health care providers to provide excellent care to dying patients and their families, they need expertise as well as compassion. Making excellent care for dying patients regularly available will require improvements in the professional education. There should be added teachings on the life of and the care of a terminal person. The care of the dying patient, like all medical care, should be guided by the values and preferences of the individual patient. Independence and dignity are central issues for many dying patients. Maintaining control and not being a burden can also be relevant concerns. I believe the patient “maintaining control” is the first concern of someone who has been given a terminal diagnosis. Sometimes the hardest part about dying is the effect it has on family and friends. Helping them deal with the pending death also helps the patient find peace and comfort. By maintaining control of medical