Seriously, you have my condolences and my agreement. What they did to your grandfather was horrible and unnecessary.
I, unfortunately, have too much experience with this issue. I have been through this issue with my and my wife's father, and with our daughter. I can understand and completely appreciate the competeing positions: that God alone should decide when someone's life should end, and that drugs should be used to end the life and or suffering of a person.
I urge those who have never really confronted this to restrain themselves. You are certainly entitled to believe you know what you would do. You may even actually do that. And you may not. But it is not really possible to know until you get there.
I pray you never need to get there.
I don’t usually reply but feel the need to on this subject.
I’m an RN who ran a Home Health agency and sat on the Board of our local Hospice. This is a emotional issue and compassionate people, rightfully so, hold strong opinions. But there are a few misconceptions I’d like to correct.
Hospice care is reserved for our family and neighbors expected to die within 6 months. The goal of hospice workers is to meet the medical, emotional and spiritual needs of those in our care. Our nurses dress wounds, help patients figure out how to keep food down, give pain medications and much more. Our Social Workers and Chaplains counsel and pray with clients while helping them access other resources. Therapists help people maintain/improve function. Aides bathe, dress and cook meals for clients.
I have seen some “terminal” patients improve to the point that they are no longer felt to be terminal and discharge from Hospice. I’ve seen many others be able to die at home while holding onto a hospice volunteer’s hand.
I’m sure there are abuses in the Hospice field...there are everywhere. But I believe most Hospice workers are caring and selfless individuals who do their jobs with dedication and compassion.
I really believe a lot of this has to do with fear of death. People who are afraid of dying may want to be drugged. And family members who are afraid of their relatives experiencing pain may want them drugged. If it wasn’t an option, it wouldn’t be such a difficult decision. Sort of like abortion...
But not exactly, because those experiencing death as a result of drug overdose could and should have some say in the matter. But fatal overdosing should still be illegal. Sorry to be harsh.