tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159989306299326105.post1881639024095629119..comments2023-10-30T01:54:18.029-07:00Comments on parablepsis: The Shadow of Old AgeHypatiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16323726587896751718noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9159989306299326105.post-68013838176070333852010-02-13T08:08:23.346-08:002010-02-13T08:08:23.346-08:00Hypatia
I fully agree with you. The problem is t...Hypatia<br /><br />I fully agree with you. The problem is that we have lost the distinction between quality and quantity of life. I remember having to sit through ward rounds when I worked in cancer care, in London; we went through each person’s reasons for admission and crucially (where I came in) who would be a problematic discharge. Every so often we would have patients in receiving chemo- or radiotherapy for cancer who were suffering from dementia. I used to think ‘What’s the point?’. It was cruel for the patient – they didn’t understand why they were feeling so ill as a result if the chemo; it was difficult for other patents and (pragmatically) I felt the bed and money could used to treat other people. <br /><br />My mother’s side of the family have almost all lived well into their 80s (her brother into his 90s) and not succumbed to dementia (my maternal grandfather (who lived with us) lived to be 87, born in a workhouse, drank like a fish and had smoked untipped cigarettes from the age of 10); my father’s family have almost all died in the 50s and 60s of heart problems; my father is the exception, he’s 83. Thankfully we have agreed that if they permanently lose mental capacity they should receive only passive care for any infections etc. – i.e. let nature take its course. At present I am drafting my ‘Power of Attorney’ document with my solicitor to say the same thing. Why do people want to live on, dribbling and drooling? That said I worked in residential care for several years and sometimes, if you have your wits about you, it can be a good place to end your days as long as you remain in charge of your care. Alas this rarely happens.<br /><br />No – once you score less than 25 out of a 30 on the ‘mini-mental’ test twice in a 12 month period I think antibiotics should not be prescribed and no more ‘flu’ jabs – not to mention the cornucopia of heart and blood-pressure medication. Let nature take its course. One of my biggest fears is ending my days in an old people’s home, doubly incontinent, mentally vacant and with no dignity. Hence the Enduring Power of Attorney! We should all have to have one...<br /><br />Regards:<br /><br />S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com