Helping hospice clients deal with ' end of life' issues

Terri Schiavo's family could not have known fifteen years ago that today they'd be fighting over her life, her death, and now, what to do with her body when she dies. What we're all learning

Tuesday, March 29th 2005, 9:23 am

By: News On 6

Terri Schiavo's family could not have known fifteen years ago that today they'd be fighting over her life, her death, and now, what to do with her body when she dies. What we're all learning from their painful public struggle, is that it can all be avoided.

News on 6 anchor Tami Marler says Terri Schiavo was young, vibrant, and seemingly healthy. She had no reason to believe she needed to plan for the end of her life.

Today her public tragedy is teaching other young, healthy people to make important plans for unexpected times. RN Tamra Moore with Hospice of Green Country: "I know that certainly here at Hospice of Green Country are talking more about it, not just from a patient standpoint as much as from a personal standpoint. And asking each other 'do you have this yet? Well, if you don't you know that's so important,' so, I do think there's a heightened awareness of the importance of Advance Directives."

Hospice of Green Country's clients deal in advance with end-of-life issues, such as how far they want medical staff to go to sustain their lives, when or if they choose to donate their organs, but these are issues we all need to address, because no one plans to be suddenly and permanently incapacitated. "No one expects that to happen. It's just not something we usually think about until we're faced with a terminal illness or situation."

Hospice of Green Country recommends you obtain a living will. You can get a 2-page, pre-printed sample form right here. [Note: you will need Adobe Reader to open this file]You should ask two people of legal age, who don't stand to benefit from your death in any way, to witness the document. Make copies of the completed living will, and give it to your family members, your doctor and your attorney. And most importantly, discuss your wishes with your family.

Tamra Moore: "You know it's something you should talk about with your family long before you need to, so that you have time to think rationally, you have time to answer questions, you just have time to think about it all, and really decide what you want, and what you don't want."

Hospice of Green Country has helped more than 5,000 terminally ill patients and their families over the last eighteen years.

Tamra Moore says they help clients make end-of-life plans, so that patients decide how they'll live their final days, and loved ones don't have to make excruciating decisions. The Schiavo case is causing a lot of healthy folks to take this important step.