Conscious Passage
Documenting Your End-of-Life Care Choices
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We all die whether we think about it, or ignore it completely. But, if we choose to, we can have a say in how our end-of-life care is handled, where our care is administered, etc. In choosing, we take on the responsibility of participating fully in our care choices, or “passing consciously.” It is your choice and you have the right to participate fully in all decisions concerning your care. Remember that at this choice point in many peoples’ lives, they are unable to communicate their choices due to fear, shock, cognitive impairment, or other medically incapacitating factors. You cannot die on your own terms or be cared for at the end of your life as you would choose unless you participate, and effectively communicate your end-of-life care choices.
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About the Book
No one wants to have to second-guess how a loved one wants to be cared for at the end of his or her life, but that hasn’t stopped some families from being torn apart by that very question. Gay Lyn Birkholz, a former professor of medical and business ethics who has served on several ethics boards coaching patients and their families through end-of-life ethical dilemmas, examines why it’s so important to make your wishes known in this self-help guide. Learn how to: • take ownership of end-of-life choices; • talk about this topic with family and loved ones; • document your care choices and intentions; and • give your health care representative a full picture of your wishes. She also tackles the complicated question of the financial burdens that come with end-of-life care—because ending up in a hospital (especially if it involves aggressive treatment) can mean exorbitant expenses. These are your choices, and you have a right for them to be honored. Claim your say, and die on your terms with the guidance in Conscious Passage.
About the Author
Gay Lyn Birkholz is a former professor of medical and business ethics. Her passion for medical-ethical issues began during her tenure in the pharmaceutical industry before she went into academia. She has acted as the health care representative for two family members and helped a friend through the bone marrow transplant process. She has served on several ethics boards coaching patients and their families through difficult medical and end-of-life ethical dilemmas. She lives in Florida where she volunteers with a right-to-die group.