End Of Life Care: A Case Study

Benjamin Franklin wisely wrote, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Though not as inevitable as death, chronic illness does not discriminate. Whether rich or poor, black or white, skinny or fat, every single person is at risk of developing chronic diseases as they age. These can range from manageable setbacks, like diabetes, to potentially fatal illnesses, like cancer or cardiovascular disease. Regardless, throughout the aging process, patients trust their doctors to keep them informed of their options and provide the best possible care. But, what people often forget, is sometimes, the best care is no care at all. There is no universal path fit for every patient once morbidity sets in. For example: three people may receive the same terminal cancer diagnosis and one may decide to fight to their last breathe, while another may decide to simply enjoy their last days; yet, another may not want to wait to die, and wish to minimize their suffering and have to freedom to choose to die. Every patient is …show more content…
“Of all Medicare beneficiaries who died in 2014, 46 percent used hospice—a rate that has more than doubled since 2000”(“Medicare’s Role in End of Life Care,” 2016). Hospice Care can encompass a multitude of things including: nursing care, counseling, and palliative medications. This reveals how integral it is for people to know their options, they can’t choose an alternative when they don’t know it’s available. However, options are relevant before the last six months of one’s life; doctors need to inform the “sickest and oldest citizens” about the importance of having an Advance Directive. Therefore, there is no doubt that it will benefit the American people if insurance companies pay for end-of-life consultations. As a result, it is integral to the future of our country that this is adopted as policy, for it will change death as we know