They can be documented in other directives and the health care agent/proxy should be well-versed re this choice, copies made & provided to all family members, caregivers AND the primary care clinician. – Judy

October 13, 2021

Can wishes regarding stopping eating & drinking be documented in other advance directives or should a specific form for this be used?

They can be documented in other directives and the health care agent/proxy should be well-versed re this choice, copies made & provided to all family members, […]
October 13, 2021

There are several dementia directives available, how do they differ and how should someone decide which to complete (e.g. geographic location, etc.)?

There are indeed a number of these documents available for use & or to compare. They are described in some detail in the appendices of the […]
October 13, 2021

If a patient has already established in their advance directive their desire to VSED while competent, why might a healthcare professional begin to offer them food or drink when they now lack capacity?

This happens when the patient seems to indicate a desire for food or drink. It is very hard for family members to ignore a loved one’s […]
October 13, 2021

What is “better” about VSED if clinical care to manage inevitable extreme suffering is not available?

People have been dying this way for generations…and, as a rule, ‘extreme suffering’ is not a consequence of this option to hasten dying. No question, not […]
October 13, 2021

Regarding VSED, how can dry mouth be addressed, and are there ways to do this without using liquid?

While patient still alert & able to cooperate: frequent rinsing & spitting cool water; careful tooth brushing & keeping tongue & gums uncoated…use damp wash cloth […]
October 13, 2021

How is the agony of hunger and thirst palliated during VSED?

I would not use the term ‘agony’ to describe the symptoms associated with VSED. Hunger pangs tend to diminish after couple of days. No question that […]
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