I am a faithful reader of your online
magazine, and wanted to share some thoughts.
After seeing the congressional hearing on
Alzheimer's disease, I am wondering if our
living wills should include our wishes about
being kept alive with no quality of life
left.
During the congressional hearings, they said
we still don't know what causes Alzheimer's
and we have no medications which will
cure the disease or stop its progression.
They estimated it will soon cost billions to
keep people cared for in their homes and
facilities; and by 2040, trillions.
For 40 years or so, I have been involved in
casework, visiting those with Alzheimer's
and even teaching classes at assisted living
facilities. I've been watching a
friend go through Alzheimer's for 11 years
now and I know she never wanted to be in a
facility. It is heartbreaking.
I know there are DNR's, living wills and the
like, but they don't seem to address this
issue. Do you know of any grassroots
efforts to encourage end of life ideas in
these cases?
Sincerely,
M
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