Death is Inevitable. A Bad Death is Not.

Death is Inevitable. A Bad Death is Not.

Today science and economic growth mean that no land mammal lives longer than humans. Yet an unintended consequence has been to turn dying into a medical experiment.

Most deaths in rich countries follow years of uneven deterioration. Roughly two-thirds happen in a hospital or nursing home. They often come after a crescendo of desperate treatment. Over 30% of Americans who die after 65 will have spent time in an intensive-care unit in their final 90 days of life. Almost 20% undergo surgery in their last month.

Such zealous intervention can be agonizing for all concerned. Cancer patients who die in hospital typically experience more pain, stress and depression than similar patients who die in a hospice or at home. Their families are more likely to argue with doctors and each other, to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and to feel prolonged grief.

Honest and open conversations with the dying should be as much a part of modern medicine as prescribing drugs. A better death means a better life, right until the end.


Kristina Stiles RN MSc ???? ????

Nurse | Client Liaison Manager | Ambassador

7 年

Thought-provoking case presentation from @Docomalik recently delivered @Retrieval2017 Conference: "End of Life care doesn't end with end of life" Support and care needs to continue for the family, the resuscitation team and other involved. @DyingMatters #endoflifecare #weneedtotalkaboutdeath #oktosay #InvisibleWounds #retrieval2017

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Ali Fatemi

Founder at Healthcare Billing Services, Inc.

7 年

Great article on the Economist.

Cassandra Hill

Keynote Speaker~ Author~ CEO~ Board Member~ Forbes Blk Member Facilitating the emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of Black women entrepreneurs while empowering them to achieve their business goals

7 年

Death and dying is considered a taboo topic in our society. Unfortunately the fear of dying causes people not to talk about death until it's too late. NO person should die in pain quality of life is possible until a person takes their last breath. Healthcare facilities (hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, etc.) need training on facilitating an environment that benefits the patient and the family.

Daniel Saurborn, MD

Co-Founder, Chief Wellness Officer at PrayerSpark

7 年

During your last moments of life, would you rather be on a plastic bed in a white room smelling of disinfectant, or in your own bed surrounded by the objects collected during a life well-lived, with family gathered around you in comfort? The answer seems quite obvious. But when faced with the agonizing choice of prolonging a loved one's life just a few days or hours more, even the best intentioned people opt for heroics over dignity.

Karen Hurst

Lead Expert of Quantum Technology, Nano, and Synthetic Biological Computing for Kaiser-Permanente

7 年

Unlike many of my counterparts; I don't want to live forever as I look forward to a long rest finally/ or a very extended vacation.

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