Quote:
Originally Posted by zonerboy
I am presently in Phoenix visiting my 93 year old Mom. She lives in a very expensive tiered assisted living facility in her own 1 bedroom apartment (no kitchen, she goes to the central dining room for very nice meals). Her husband (my dad) died 6 years ago and almost all her friends have also passed on. She has no will to live and wishes she could just "go to heaven". She does not participate in any activities available for residents at her facility such as exercise classes, games, crafts, movies, visiting musicians who lead sing-a-longs, field trips, etc. says it's too much trouble. So she sits in her chair all day with the TV on. Not certain if she watches it or not. Her severe diabetic neuropathy has caused her to have complete loss of control of her bladder, and only partial bowel control, so it is difficult to take her out any where. (I have a sister and two brothers living in Phoenix who try to help her)
She had heart surgery (double valve replacement, coronary bypass, plus pacemaker) at age 86, and now wishes she hadn't had it because she says she'd be dead and on heaven by now.
So what's the solution for situations such as this?? Seems to be getting more common as we age.
BTW, she is on anti-depressants. Discussion would be appreciated.
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It's hard to discuss this, zonerboy, except to offer condolences or empathy. When my SIL was driving my brother to chemo--mainly done at that point just to alleviate his horrible bone pain--she began questioning her Catholic teachings about suicide and wished she could bring herself to run the car over the riverbank. (She couldn't). My grandmother, widowed, impoverished and provided for by her children, deaf and ailing for 20+ years! cried and cried to be taken by God, yet she lived to be 96.
Who could bring himself to end the life of another? We have taken the DNR decision out of our sons' hands as they have stated they will never be able to let go of us. Perhaps that would change if they saw us suffering.
There is an arresting book written by an investigative journalist about what happened at a hospital in New Orleans after Katrina, where at least one doctor and a few other medical professionals euthanized some patients as they found their potential rescue to be difficult or potentially impossible. If I google it to get the name, I will lose everything I have just written on this stupid iPad. But I will find it for you if you want. You might be interested from a medical standpoint as well.