Dying Well

Preparing for death is an unavoidable part of eldercare. But what does dying well mean?
"A good death is (one) where the person feels they have options and comfort. But that means different things to different people. Do you want to be completely lucid? A bit sleepy? Some will want more aggressive pain managmenet than others."
Carol McKenna at St. Peters Hospital suggests that planning and communication are a key to preparing for death. In todays installment we bring you the stories of two deaths, Aileen and Yvonne. We also offer a brief explanation of hospices, some tips on caring for caregivers and a list of questions and answers families face as parents draw near death.
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Comments

[Burke Austin]

This story touched me in a special way. I have been caring for my sister for 24 years now. She was born with Down Syndrome. She lived a very active and independent life until 2000 when I started noticing changes in her behavior, small things at first like putting her shoes on the wrong feet, I thought that it was just a part of being Downs but in fact it was the first signs of Alzheimers. One in four people who are born with Downs develop Alzheimers. Over the past seven years I have seen her slowly slip away, she is now bedridden,incontinent has no speach but she still loves to eat and drink. The day will come that she will lose her ability to swallow and that is when she can go on a feeding tube but I have no intention on doing that. She can pass away comfortabily with help in the home that she was born in and that is fofilling my parents wishes for Jane. It is a tough decision, but one must think of quality of life at this time in her life. If God willing she will see her 50th birthday this coming Christmas day, if not she will go to be with her Mom and Dad in Heaven.