Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the […]
do not go gentle into that good night … Read More »
… 2010 Annual Report … The vast majority of the 72 persons who killed themselves did so for reasons of control and autonomy – not intractable suffering (p. 7) The vast minority (2 of the 72) underwent any kind of mental health evaluation. related posts here and here …
washington state’s experience with assisted suicide … Read More »
… Kross et. al. in “Social rejection shares somatosensory representations with physical pain” use functional MRI to show that “rejection [recent break-up of a relationship] and physical pain are similar not only in that they are both distressing—they share a common somatosensory representation as well.” Pain is what the patient says it is … but
breaking up is painful … Read More »
Janssen and Macleod in Pall & Supportive Care talk to patients and their caregivers about how doctors do (or do not) care for them as individuals. “Building a caring human relationship begins with doctors recognizing themselves and each patient as individuals first and foremost. A connection invited on that level provides a firm base on
What does care mean …? Read More »
… handout posted “What must be made very clear here, is that patients who are suffering during the dying process, and contemplate PAS because they feel they have lost all meaning, dignity and purpose in life, are asking physicians, “Do you agree that my life is worthless because I am dying? They are searching in
suicide at life’s end … Read More »
… Lorenzo Albacete on the ‘young old‘ … ” …we are facing the emergence of a new cultural world: that of the “young old, “separate from that of the “old old.” However, this new cultural category is based on a lie, as Jacoby remarks: “At 85 or 90, whatever satisfaction may still lie ahead, only
the illusion of the ‘young old’ … Read More »
… of healing … 1. be truly present to the moment 2. trust 3. attend to your whole person needs 4. be open to deeper relating 5. listen to your intuition 6. create 7. develop your self-reflective skills 8. be gentle with yourself 9. think small 10. celebrate
bal mount’s 10 commandments … Read More »
Kane summarizes the options patients and families have when they are discharged from the hospital to another health care venue. a key concern … “Often social workers are really concerned with the immediate discharge plan … from their facility’s perspective; they’re not always as in tune with the future placement options for that [patient].” Mor
discharge planning … sicker & quicker Read More »
… Halifax discusses many facets of compassion, in particular what we often refer to as “Whose need is it?” … ” … one can feel acutely distressed about the suffering of another and engage in behaviors that appear to be helpfulto the suffering person, but if he or she is motivated, consciously or unconsciously by
the precious necessity of compassion … Read More »
… factors that influence family member’s perception of their loved ones prognosis … an experiential study in a recent Critical Care Medicine. Among major influences on family member’s understanding of prognosis … – patient’s intrinsic qualities and will to live – patient’s physical appearance or status – patient’s prior history of illness/survival – power of
more than “just what the doctor says” … Read More »
