Are You Too Old For Us To Care For?
***(Disclaimer, the topic is one that was brought up by my attending physician and does not necessarily reflect my own beliefs.)***
As I listened to one of my attending physicians talk, I became aware of a dilemma that he was alluding to. Now this is a very highly emotional and politically charged topic. The question is, are you too old for us to care for?
My attending described how when social security first came around, the life expectancy of those living in the US was much lower. Thus, one would work for his or her life and if he or she were still alive, the person would retire and only use resources for a limited amount of time. However, as the life expectancy has increased over the past few decades, a new dilemma has surfaced, one which begs the question about how long a person SHOULD live.
With new advances in medicine, people are not only living longer, but they are living long enough to pick up more disease states that would likely have killed them previously. These comorbid disease states are now becoming more manageable and less of a life-ending situation, however, at what cost?
Those in health care speak of quality of life versus quantity of life. For example, a person with end-stage Alzheimer's Disease may live in situations in which preserving life has a negative effect. Such a person, with dementia, might suffer a seemingly horrifying attack when simply getting blood drawn for a lab test. The demented patient would no longer be able to understand why he or she is being held down while a sharp object is used to pierce his or her skin. Further, as we age, the likelihood of colon cancer increases. However, does the benefit of performing a rectal exam, let alone a colonoscopy, to screen for adenomatous polyps which may turn into cancer in 10-14 years outweigh the fact that a patient with end-stage dementia may not survive more than 5-9 years?
Further, we have families who want "everything to be done" for a loved one no matter the cost. For example, a person in a nursing home or hospital bed may be costing loved ones, his or herself, or the system multiple thousands of dollars each month simply for care. In fact, families are often surprised at the bills (which may include things like $3/meal simply to put out silverware and plates for someone who is unable to do it on his or her own). These small charges add up. In fact, more money is spent on the very end of life than is spent for normal daily-living expenses for the rest of us.
Thus, what should be done? Are people ever too old for us to care for, and what should we do about their care?
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Comments: 28
Y'all do what you need to.
But in pondering each point:
I don't believe taking more SS from pay to build the funds is the answer . I don't believe anyone but me should have the right, to judge when my quality life is over.
We all know I believe, that not only is the life expectancy longer but included also is the outragous cost of healthcare. I believe that should be curved, I believe it can be and I also believe that Socialized Medicine is not the answer. Insurance and medical costs are increased by many factors, one being the outragous number of law suits that our system allows for outrageous claims.
There was a time in America where families took in their elderly and cared for them at home as best they could, those days are gone. There was a time when their doctor came to see that person once a week and help care for them, that too is gone. There was a time when the elderly were allowed to die with grace and dignity instead of lingering and being held on to by physicians and family.
I know that I will make the decision myself and in case I can't my grown children are fully aware of my wishes and will abide by that. A living will is also in place for the medical community.
I personally will not create outragous bills to leave for someone else to suffer with and I feel the same way about funerals. Families dig a whole in the ground (literally) and throw 12 -15,000 dollars in it. I don't abide by that either. I have chose cremation.
That being said, I know he would not want to be kept alive using any extraordinary means and I will abide with his wishes should that time come. I am also very aware of the costs involved in his care. That too is extraordinary. Thanks for bringing up this topic, Dr. Dan, and for allowing me the opportunity to comment.
I have cared for so many people who are simply existing and that is definitely not how I want to end my life. I made that decision many years ago.
Personally I do not want to become a burden on my wife or kids, so if given the chance to be able to decide my dying days, I will opt for leaving the stage on my terms.
As far as money goes how about we stop giving money to organizations by the billions for no good reason other than to help some politician get re-elected.
Older Americans today hear everyday about are you worth keeping around. This has to stop, it is demeaning and depressing for the senior citizen.
Let me live my life to the end and don't make me feel guilty if I live long.
We are supposed to be the best country in the world, so shouldn't we
take care of all of our people, not just the ones in the prime of their lives??
And treat us all with dignity and kindness........
The only thing I can think of that the government should set as "blanket legislation" is to mandate that when a person signs up for Medicare at age 65 (or whatever the age range is), they MUST have some kind of document addressing their wishes for end of life matters. At the very least, if a terminal cancer patient comes in and is unconscious, someone would be able to get that document and know what the patient's instructions are to care for them!
I realize the system is busting at the seams... we are living longer, but look at how many more people are on disability, but yet can work.... I have never been able to figure this out either.... If you can work why, are you getting a check... but this is for another article...
This is a very had decision for families. This is a hard decision for the health care profession. This is a decision I hope I would never have to make.