Post by Graveyardbride on Dec 1, 2013 13:30:44 GMT -5
What is a Good Death?
Twelve principles of a good death were identified in The Future of Health and Care of Older People by the Debate of the Age Health and Care Study Group.
Principles of a Good Death, according to the Debate of the Age Health and Care Study Group, include:
• Knowing when death is coming, and understanding what to expect.
• Ability to retain control of what happens.
• Dignity and privacy.
• Controlling pain relief and other symptom control.
• Choosing where death (i.e., at home or elsewhere) occurs.
• Access to information and expertise regarding all aspects of care.
• Access to spiritual or emotional support.
• Access to hospice care.
• Control over who is present and who shares the end.
• Ability to issue advance directives to ensure wishes are respected.
• Time to say goodbye and control over other aspects of timing.
• Ability to leave when it is time to go and not have life pointlessly prolonged.
Source: R. Smith.