Death is the destiny we all share. This will not change. But the
way we die, which had been the same for many generations, has
changed drastically in a relatively short time for those in
developed countries with access to healthcare. For generations, if
people were lucky enough to reach old age, not having died in
infancy or childhood, in childbirth, in war, or by accident, they
would take to bed, surrounded by loved ones who cared for them, and
fade into death. Most likely, they would have seen their parents
and grandparents die the same way, so this manner of dying would be
familiar. It was part of the natural cycle of life. Now less than
25 per cent of Americans die at home, at much older ages than
people would have dreamed of in past generations, often after
surviving many illnesses and even diseases that would have been
terminal for their grandparents. We are fortunate to live (and die)
today, supported by myriad scientific, medical, and technological
advancements. But we also face new problems as a result of the new
way that we die. We cannot look forward to a peaceful waning when
we know our lives will likely end in hospitals, having endured very
expensive care, rather than at home with family. We have to decide
what decisions we want our loved ones, or care-givers, to make when
we cannot choose for ourselves. We have to think about whether in
any circumstances we would seek physician-assisted death. We know
we face other questions as well, but we may not even know where to
start. In the face of these decisions, we can feel daunted and
afraid. The best remedy is information and planning. In this book,
Gregory Eastwood - a physician who has cared for dying patients,
served as an ethics consultant, and taught end of life issues to
medical and other health profession students - draws from his
substantial experience with patients and families to provide the
information that will help us think clearly about the choices and
issues we will face at the end of our lives, and the end of our
loved ones'. With sensitivity and profound insight, Eastwood guides
us through all the important questions about death and dying in
straightforward, clear language and through real-life stories.
Throughout, he shows us how we can take ownership of the way we
want to die, when we must die, and feel more in control as death
approaches.
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