“There at the End: Voices from Final Exit Network: A Celebration of 20 Years” shares powerful testimonies from individuals connected to Final Exit Network (FEN), showcasing the organization’s dedication to supporting mentally competent adults suffering from terminal conditions in their right to choose death.
Final Exit Network, a nonprofit, offers end-of-life resources including articles on Exit Guide Services, Advance Directives, personal stories, and Healthcare Representatives, emphasizing the significance of choosing a suitable healthcare representative aligned with one’s wishes for medical decision-making. Membership offers access to forums and events.
What challenges do LGBTQ elders face in finding a trusted individual to discuss their preferences for end-of-life care?
Pain management is a cornerstone of compassionate end-of-life care. Prioritizing comfort and proactively addressing pain allows hospice patients to find dignity and peace in their final days.
“Even a person who is very, very ill or who has a psychiatric illness or Down syndrome can say ‘Don’t do this to me.'”
“While I want to give my all to my patients, I know that I must meet them where they are.”
“Everyone gasped as the comatose patient slowly lifted her hand from the bed and began moving it in time to what I was singing.”
“Everyone, including and perhaps even especially Mom, are going to be concerned and frightened about what the future is bringing. Through being open, sharing, together, and supportive of one another comes the opportunity to love each other.” — Barbara Karnes, RN
The article contrasts the end-of-life experiences of Grandma Lilly, who suffers in ICU, with Grandpa Joe, who dies peacefully surrounded by loved ones, highlighting the choices in dying.
Psilocybin therapy reduced anxiety and depression in patients with advanced cancer, showing promising long-term results. Therapy access is limited in the US but growing.
