Being Terminally Ill Research Paper

Words: 1574
Pages: 7

Many people argue over the unnecessary prolonging of life. Keeping patients alive until their last breath with every necessary measure possible was essentially created and followed in the Hippocratic Oath for physicians. Not only does this include all efforts possible, it involves the moral judgement from the doctor to act rationally and strategically. Being terminally ill means that a patient has been diagnosed with a disease that guarantees only a few weeks, months, or years left to live. It does not necessarily mean the patient is bedridden. An example of this would be terminal cancer. The patient is still able to do daily activities yet is given limitations as to what pertains to their lasting health for their remaining years. Another example …show more content…
There was a section from the Archives of Internal Medicine that stated, “Managed care and managed death are less expensive than fee-for-service care and extended survival.” This proves that suspension of medication will save the patient and their family tremendous amounts of money, that would otherwise leave their family in debt and financially unstable. Sometimes terminally ill patients are in a vegetative state where they are completely limited on the actions they can carry out. This is often depressing for the patients’ families, friends and people around them to witness. Life is about being able to do things, instead of having to stay in bed all day for the rest of one’s life. While the patient is laying in bed and increasing their medical bills, the patient should be able to consent to end their life or have a health care proxy, which will appoint someone to consent for …show more content…
Hospice care is provided for terminally ill patients. This type of care offers different types of support to the patient so they can die with peace, comfort and dignity. Such support include medical, psychological, and spiritual. Hospice caregivers evaluate the patient’s condition and keeps track their symptoms. In addition, they will help to maintain the patient’s mental stability as the patient’s death approaches. There is spiritual support that is given to the patient as well. This support can be separate from religious backgrounds. Not only does hospice care benefit the patient, hospice care also offers the patient’s family guidance and support while the patient is ill.
Studies have shown that hospice care is less expensive and may even reduce healthcare costs. An article by Emanuel EJ entitled “Cost savings at the end of life. What do the data show”, stated that upon research, hospice and advance directives can save 25% to 40% of health care cost during the last month of a patient’s life. These savings grow from 10% to 17% throughout the patient’s last six months of life. Hospice care is an alternative for terminally ill patients who wish to no longer proceed with medication and may want to spend the last days of their lives someplace other than the