Deciding when suicide is a rational choice
How the Final Exit Network works to make hastening one's own death a rational endeavor–a review of the process. (Continue reading ...)
A Cruel Attack on the Disabled
Drawing on reports from Forbes, New York Times, USA Today, AXIOS, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jill Richardson explains the cruelty of reducing or eliminating disability benefits for the most vulnerable Americans. (Continue reading ...)
POLSTs and DNR orders are not Advance Directives
Patients complete advance directives without a physician's approval, though they may seek a physician's advice in doing so. Only a physician can issue a DNR order or a POLST, in consultation with the patient or surrogate. So long as the preferences and directives of patients are an integral part of the process, POLSTs appear to be a useful addition to late-stage medical care decision making (Continue reading ...)
Ableism and the Right to Die
Last week, I referred a caller to the Final Exit Network (FEN) to John B. Kelly, a Not Dead Yet opponent of right-to-die (RTD) laws. The person was inquiring on behalf of his brother (I'll call him Carl) about the education and training services that FEN offers to applicants who want to hasten their deaths. The brother was trying to learn if FEN could help Carl, who was despairing of his condition. (Continue reading ...)
Dementia directive confusion and obfuscation
Whether intentionally or inadvertently, a recent article in the Washington Post, written by a reporter with Kaiser Health News, provides confusing, incomplete, misleading, and perhaps inaccurate information about the choices a person with dementia may have. It dismisses legal issues by citing opinions from non-legal professionals. (Continue reading ...)
Understanding Advance Directives and their problems for dementia
On this blog, we have dealt often with aspects of advance directives. To prepare for using a dementia directive, readers may benefit from a discussion of the development of advance directives and problems with their language. References to several dementia directives or supplements are provided. (Continue reading ...)
Contrasts between the US and Canada in the use of both MAID laws and VSED
Not only is Canada further advanced than all states in the US with respect to Medical Aid In Dying (MAID or MAiD), it also has surpassed the US for those who want to Voluntarily Stop Eating and Drinking. (Continue reading ...)
Confessions of a FEN Coordinator
A FEN Coordinator discusses how FEN works and explains who FEN can and cannot help. (Continue reading ...)
Good Death Society Blog Holiday Schedule and a Song
Good Death Society Blog Holiday Schedule and a Song to begin the new year and say goodbye to the old one. (Continue reading ...)
The Good Death Society Blog Holiday Schedule and More
The Good Death Society Blog Holiday Schedule and More, including an UPDATE and poem for the season (Continue reading ...)