Abstract The paper discusses how the environment in a home where there is a terminallyill parent is often significantly different than a "well" household. This is not only because this home has the paraphernalia associated with the ill, such as sick beds, pharmaceuticals, wheel chairs and the like. These factors cause tense situations that make all family members more stressful. The paper then discusses how children of terminallyill parents experience other frightening daily occurrences. The paper concludes that youth need assistance in dealing with death and grief in order to help them cope with the changes occurring in their lives.
From the Paper "Many children and families go this situation. According to national statistics, by the age of 15, over a million children in the United States will lose a parent to a terminal illness (Mahoney, 2005). Although numerous programs and resources are available to help those children who are grieving the death of a parent, there are few organized interventions to help families cope with their children's emotional needs during the parental illness and treatment, when help is especially needed."
Abstract In this paper, the writer contends that assisted suicide is not only a humane option for suffering patients but for the families as well. The writer discusses how the laws and procedures to become accepted for assisted-suicide are extremely detailed to prevent the misuse of the procedure. The writer asserts that each individual should be allowed to determine his or her own fate, and his or her own death, if the situation permits. The writer argues that physician-assisted suicide should not become a religious, moral or ethical issue; it is about the terminallyill, long suffering, person whose final wish is to leave on his or her own terms, to die with dignity.
From the Paper "Two patients, the same age and the same gender, have been diagnosed with advanced brain cancer. Each has been given six months to live. Their doctors have informed them the last six months of their lives are likely to be filled with pain and suffering, and both patients will become bed-ridden. Two months go by. Each patient finds himself in extreme pain, and feels he is a burden on friends and family. Life is starting to become unbearable. Each one's memories are fading. Both patients begin to forget friends and family, and just want the pain to stop. Both feel they and their families would be better off if death was on their own terms. Fortunately, for one patient, he lives in Oregon. Unfortunately, for the other, he lives in California."
Abstract As a universal practice, the field of medicine functions as a single dimension, focusing on the medical model of seeking causes and solutions from scientific perspectives. Until recently, however, many patients with terminalillnesses such as cancer and heart disease have claimed the correlation of their religion and faith in sustaining their hope to recover from illnesses. This assertion has caught the attention of diverse health professions and led to research and studies in the analysis of religion or spirituality as an element in the medical process. This paper explores the assertions and idea of spirituality as being able to help in the healing process of terminallyill patients. The recognition of the value of elements such as faith and religion by both patients and doctors is one of the essential aspects of this study's research and analysis.
Table of Contents
Spirituality
Hypothesis
Review of Literature
Methods
Proposed Statistical Techniques
Expected Findings
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "A medical assessment article indicates that spirituality is an element that exists within medical stages faced by a patient. This is identified through a patient's demonstration of hope for recovery, or discovery of cure despite the possible results of a disease such as physical abnormalities or death. Despite the unexplainable occurrences transpiring between spirituality and the field of medicine, the positive behaviors and improved physical conditions demonstrated and testified by terminally ill patients provide supporting evidence to the positive association of spirituality in medicine."
Abstract This paper provides a philosophical argument concerning terminalillness. The premise is that the arguments of two philosophers, John Stuart Mill and Immanuel Kant, are used to inform a hospital patient that she is suffering from a terminalillness.
Abstract The paper discusses how both the terminallyill individual as well as those who are closest to him will undergo a wide range of emotions, with the patient requiring much support as he cannot undergo the process alone. The paper emphasizes the importance of touch in the love and comfort an ill individual needs. The paper looks at an article "Nursing Home Industry - Breeding Ground for Whistleblowers" by E. Pringle that describes how in homes or institutionalized settings patients are often neglected. The paper asserts that this evidence should be enough for loved ones of sick people to wake up, exert every strength they have and care for the sick around them.
From the Paper "There are many varying ideas on how people cope when they have been told that they are suffering from a terminal illness and will eventually die within a short period of time. While some feel that relationships make little difference for the sick individual, others disagree feeling that they are very important. They feel that it is vital to even include the family and those who are close to the individual in the coping process. Relationships, as well as comforting touch and presence, are vital to help terminally ill patients to better cope with their illnesses."
Tags: emotions, pain, suffering, interaction, care
Abstract This paper discusses an article in which the author exhorts terminal dehydration as an alternative and legal form of assisting death. The advantages of terminal dehydration over other direct forms of physician-assisted suicide are carefully compared. There is also a discussion of the potential for abuse of euthanasia, especially in view of the ever- increasing and unmanageable costs involved in palliative care.
From the Paper "The author encourages the medical community to consider terminal dehydration, with the voluntary consent of the patient, as a suitable alternative method. However the author cautions that as with legalizing other forms of euthanasia, integrating terminal dehydration as a clinical practice to alleviate the sufferings of terminally ill patients involves a careful consideration of the patients ability to make the decision and to make sure that it does not become a forced or involuntary decision. The author also points out a further justification that favors terminal dehydration."
Abstract This paper emphasizes the psychosocial, economic and ethical concerns that emerge when a terminallyill patient is being taken care of by a family caregiver.
Abstract This paper will deal with the ethical and psychosocial issues associated with the modern nursing systems of today. A focus will be held on terminalillness and the general scope of some of the decisions based around it. By addressing the main reasons how a nurse takes in these very important factors, the improvement of health care can be better practiced.
Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine to what extent is withdrawing or withholding artificial hydration justified and what are the implications of this for the patient. A summary of the study and reflections on the research is provided in the conclusion.
Contents
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Implications of Physician-Assisted Suicide
Artificial Hydration and Relationship to TerminallyIll Conclusion
From the Paper "Today, medical knowledge is doubling every eight years; in fact, half of what students learn in their freshman year about the cutting edge of science and technology is obsolete, revised, or taken for granted by their senior year (Cetron & Davies, 2003). Modern innovations in medicine, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (which restores regular rhythm to an arrhythmic or failed heart) and mechanical respirators (which breathe for patients unable to expand their lungs) have in many cases been able to postpone a death that previously had been imminent."
Abstract The paper describes the Central Care Hospice (CCH)'s mission and vision and how it promotes quality of life during the end-of-life stages of terminallyill patients. The paper discusses the staffing and human resources at the organization, the technology utilized, the hospice's budget and financial management and the way evaluations are carried out.
Outline:
Introduction
Description of the Organization
Mission and Vision
Staffing and Human Resources
Technology
Budget and Financial Management
Program Evaluation Methods
Conclusion
From the Paper "Regardless of the primary industry, all Human Service Programs have ethical responsibilities to employees, clients, and their respective communities. However, when the program's role is in providing care to the dying patient, as is the case in hospice organizations, understanding, implementing, and following ethical policies is even more important. Often many individuals entering the hospice services industry do not realize the stresses involved in the daily activities of the organization. The patients we see are atypical to those in traditional clinic, home care, and hospital environments. Our patients have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than six months to live. This knowledge alone can be frightening to the new employee, and it is always heart breaking to the organization when the time comes to say goodbye."
Abstract This paper discusses the difficulties that may be associated with having a terminal disease, in terms of a patient's contentment with life. It describes the resources and support that Canadian patients with terminal disease are fortunate in possessing. It discusses how these resources of a well-trained, empathic health force and modern facilities support social well-being. The paper provides examples from the literature.
From the Paper "Quality of life in patients with terminal illnesses such as terminal cancer is no doubt a large concern for nurses. Unlike acute disease processes, terminal diseases in patients, while therapeutic relations between nurse and patient can strengthen over time, must also be evaluated to determine the effectiveness of treatment. In this case, it is the preparation of the patient and family in body, mind and spirit for that inevitable transition from life to death. Interventions to improve the quality of life of these patients have significant value as portrayed in the previous articles."
Tags: palliative cancer, quality of life, treatment death
Abstract This paper describes the moral and ethical issues surrounding euthanasia or assisted suicide and analyzes the current U.S. law. It distinguishes between the two types of euthanasia -passive euthanasia, withdrawal of life support and active euthanasia, the right of a patient to request for a doctor to perform. It investigates the concept of a living will which allows one to specify the circumstances under which you wish to receive particular types of life sustaining treatment should you become terminallyill and unable to convey your decisions to your physician and examines their legalities in different States.
From the Paper "The State of Maryland have laws that permit you to appoint a health care agent or Power of Attorney, someone who makes decisions for the patient if they become incompetent or can no longer speak for themselves. The appointment of these health care agents is most often accomplished through filling out the forms known as health care proxies. Some health care proxy forms allow you to direct your agent to make specific medical treatment decisions in particular situations. These health care agents have the power to make all medical decisions for incapacitated persons, including decisions concerning life-sustaining medical interventions."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that many people are unable to care for themselves due to old age and disabilities. Many of them may feel as if they are a burden to their families and society because they have to be taken care of by others. The writer points out that a problem that has to be faced is what to do with the people that feel this way and maintains that euthanasia could be a way to deal with this problem. The writer argues that physician-assisted suicide should be a legal option for terminallyill patients because they may feel like the physical and emotional pain is too much to bear, they may not be able to cope financially with a long-term illness, and also because patients may decide to commit suicide because euthanasia is illegal. The writer concludes that terminallyill patients should have the option to end their life rather than enduring long-term suffering.
From the Paper "Legalizing euthanasia would make the option available to people to be able to choose to end their life when they feel it is time. They can choose the time, the date, and where their life will be taken which makes death a more comfortable point in time for both the patient and also the patient's family. Even though some physical pain can be controlled, it is still a constant burden on the mind of many patients. Many do not want to be hospitalized on life support for a long period of time or die in a retirement home without their loved ones near them. Emotional pain, however, cannot be dealt with quite as well because the patient may have the constant feeling that they are only a burden to their family and to society."
Abstract The following paper provides understanding of the organization, "Alive Hospice", an organization that provides care while the patient enters end stages of disease and then goes through the process of dying. The writer examines what its volunteers provide for the terminallyill patients that it serves.
From the Paper ?In recent decades, medical science has advance to the point that people are living longer than ever before, and with that life comes a quality of life that is enjoyed well into the golden years. For those who are among the living the world is a beautiful place. However, for those whose lives are ending, the world can be a place filled with fear and uncertainty as one goes from doctor to doctor in search of hope and miracles. Then, when they announce the final curtain, that the patient is all out of options and the only path now is death, there are decisions to be made. Many people are afraid of dying in the clinical setting of a hospital, but they are not sure there are options. There are.?
Tags: caregiver, client, nurse, terminally, ill, fear, pain, modern, medicine
Abstract Everyone dies. Prior to that moment, there lies a need for comprehensive, compassionate care of the terminallyill patient. This paper examines three primary arenas for the provision of palliative care. Firstly, the paper examines the hospital setting with 24 hour staff, pharmacy and equipment, acute care and ready access to care. It then looks at nursing homes which provide similar benefits, but in a more comfortable, private surrounding. Finally, the paper looks at inpatient hospice programs which accommodate terminallyill patients in their own homes with the broadest spectrum of palliative care. Proper planning, through the establishment of advanced directives and communication between the patient, his or her family, and the attending physician, enables the implementation of the most desired and most appropriate level of care when needed.
From the Paper "For those individuals whose life expectancy and acuity level make the hospital setting impractical, another option exists in the form of terminal care in the nursing home. Approximately 20 percent of Americans will die in skilled nursing facilities. (Keay & Schonwetter 2). Grouping terminal patients in such a manner provides a unique opportunity to address their needs. With a more comfortable, private space for the patient, a staff present at all times, and ready access to medicines, the nursing home seems primed to provide a measure of care that could match or even surpass the hospital environment."
