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Hospice beats suicide
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More from OpinionMany people support assisted suicide for the terminally ill because they have seen loved ones die undignified, protracted deaths, often after painful, intrusive, expensive procedures. People don't fully realize that there is another choice besides the above scenario or assisted suicide. That choice is hospice care.
With hospice care at the end of life, an entire team avails itself to provide the patient, his family and loved ones with comfort and support. The team includes a physician, nurse, chaplain, social worker, home health aide and volunteer, as well as other disciplines as needed, all specially trained in end-of-life care. The goal is to ensure a peaceful, pain-free death. The team addresses and treats not only physical pain, but spiritual and psychological pain, too. Bereavement support and counseling are also provided for those left behind, for at least a year.
You cannot achieve as much by suicide.
The skin cancer patient quoted in The Star's March 28 article "Assisted suicide bill gains support as it clears hurdle," said that assisted suicide "will allow me to leave my life with a kiss in a peaceful and dignified way." Hospice offers this as well, and more, and does provide for patients to die in their own home, surrounded by loved ones.
Medicare, Medi-Cal and most private insurance pay for hospice, and agencies do admit nonfunded patients for humanitarian purposes.
Hospice is the best option for the terminally ill to die peacefully, pain-free and with dignity — not assisted suicide.
— Nadine G. Frankel, a registered nurse, lives in Oxnard.
Posted by KatieTeague on July 10, 2007 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a very good letter and is the first time I have read something that presented such a compelling arugment against assisted suicide. If hospice does indeed allow the patient to die peacefully and with dignity, along with providing psychological and spiritual services for both the client and their families, then it is a good way to go.
However, that doesn't mean people should not have a choice between the two options. Like with abortion, if people are truly educated - they will make the right choice. Government shouldn't make it for them.
Posted by imp9824 on July 10, 2007 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder what business of Ms. Frankel it is to decide the best way for anyone to die. What business of mine is it that another person wishes to end their life?
Posted by Franbill on July 10, 2007 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From womb to tomb, our government wants to exercise control and power where there is none needed or welcomed.
Hospice care is a wonderful concept that should be made available to all, but families should know that it is common practice for hospice physicians to secretly increase morphine doses to long-suffering patients.
Is it assisted suicide or mercy murder? You decide.
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