The Good Death Society Blog

Sep 10

3

Rational Exits

By Lamar Hankins | Choice | 8 Comments

Many older people decide for themselves that they don’t want to be wholly dependent on others, and they don’t want to be remembered as someone in that circumstance. Others do not want to be an increasing burden on their family, a decision that is theirs, irrespective of whether the family feels that they are a burden. Such old and increasingly infirm individuals may get little, if any, pleasure from living with myriad physical dysfunctions, and all that such health problems entail. They are the ones who should decide whether their lives are any longer worth living.

Sep 02

0

Thoughts about a good death and dignity in dying

By Lamar Hankins | Dying | 5 Comments

Nothing is more personal than how we define a good death, yet our definition may not be obvious at first. Consideration of this question leads me to the idea that a good death is a dignified death; that is, the dying process is dignified. To maintain dignity in the dying process depends greatly on how our death comes. If it comes through violent means, dignity may not be found.

Aug 26

1

Lessons about PAD from disability rights advocates

By Lamar Hankins | Disability, Disability Rights, Medical Aid in Dying, Not Dead Yet, PAD | 6 Comments

Disability rights groups that oppose self-determination for people who seek physician-assisted dying (PAD ) argue that such people should not have the right to decide for themselves when their lives are no longer tenable. Nevertheless, the disability rights groups do make points related to PAD that are worth considering; for one, they have helped me realize that over the last ten years I have become disabled.

Aug 19

1

Fashioning an advance directive for dementia

By Lamar Hankins | Advance Directives, Dementia | 11 Comments

This post lays out a process for making a dementia directive to be used when or if we become unable to make our own views known because of mental incapacity. If you are willing to live with dementia through the end of the disease, this post will not be of use to you.

Aug 12

2

The Society for Humanistic Judaism and MAID

By Lamar Hankins | PAD | 2 Comments

The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) supports the right of all people to decide when their lives should end. This post looks at the SHJ’s position on physician-assisted death.

Aug 04

2

Advance care planning for dementia: a case study–Part 2

By Lamar Hankins | Dementia | 9 Comments

In Part 2 of this post about dementia, disability, and advance directives, Lamar Hankins challenges Dresser’s assertion that an advance directive that calls for allowing a person to die in the later stages of dementia should be ignored in favor of her view of what care is appropriate.

Jul 29

2

Advance care planning for dementia: a case study–Part 1

By Lamar Hankins | Dementia | 9 Comments

Rebecca Dresser is a law professor and recognized expert in biomedical ethics. She argues that “people usually live for many years after a dementia diagnosis, years in which meaningful and satisfying life can continue. People can’t be sure how they will fare as dementia patients . . .” She suggests that because dementia patients can adapt to their new circumstances, they must, therefore, be allowed to accept this new life.. Lamar Hankins analyses her ideas in a two-part post.

Jul 23

3

Death With Dignity from a personal perspective

By Jim Waun | Death With Dignity Act, Final Exit Network | 6 Comments

Jim Waun, a retired anesthesiologist, shares some of his personal experiences that led him to support the Death With Dignity movement and the Final Exit Network (FEN), and he explains how FEN’s Exit Guide program works.

Jul 15

0

WHAT “DO EVERYTHING” REALLY MEANS

By ZDoggMD | Advance Directives, Choice, DNR, End-of-life care, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, Surrogate | One Comment

ZDoggMD (Zubin Damania, MD) explains in his engrossing style what it really means to decide that you want to be kept alive by doing everything possible. It may be time to remodel those advance directives.

Jul 08

1

Why do Christians fear death?

By Kevin Bradley | Religion | 11 Comments

Kevin Bradley discusses heaven and hell and the fear of death among those with whom he has been involved in his career with hospice and hospital patients.