If You Needed a Ventilator, Would You Really Want One?
|
Q. My niece, Rebecca, was hospitalized with coronavirus last month and was placed on a ventilator. When her temperature was quite high and her oxygen levels were low and she needed life-saving measures, she didn’t have an advance medical directive in place to indicate her preferences, so they just went ahead and hooked her up to the ventilator. She is in her late 40’s and survived the illness, but is
having some issues after the fact due to the ventilator.
I understand that without the ventilator, her life might not have been saved. However, from what I’ve heard, ventilators are awful and I’m considering whether I would want one, should I fall ill like her. I think I would like all other options explored first. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of her experience, because she doesn’t like to talk about it and she is certainly not herself these days. She
seems weak and lethargic, and has trouble with some of the things she used to do including talking, swallowing, and preparing meals. Can this really happen as a result of a ventilator? What are some of the other possible side effects and what’s the best way to indicate to doctors and family members whether or not I would want that kind of treatment to save my life?
For more details, please see sidebar >>>
Critter Corner: When Dad Doesn't Want a Feeding Tube
|
My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s nearly ten years ago. His worsening condition and the coronavirus pandemic have prompted him to get his incapacity planning, estate planning, and long-term care planning in order. He and my mother heard that Parkinson’s patients lose the ability to swallow in the final stages. My father’s joy in life is food and it always has been. He enjoys the taste of good
food, even if it’s pureed, and the social aspects of eating a meal with others. He still has his wits about him and is considering putting in his Advance Medical Directive that he does not want a feeding tube in the future should he need one, although my mother thinks he should consider it if it is the difference between life and death. I don’t know anything about feeding tubes myself. Do you have any data on what feeding tubes are actually like and whether they cause any long-term
damage?
First Responders and health care practitioners know how important it is to be prepared!
|
|
To thank them for all they are doing on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic, we would like to extend a special 50% discount to them for the duration of this pandemic for our Level 1 Incapacity Planning, which includes a General Power of Attorney, Real Estate Power of Attorney, our proprietary 4-Needs Advance Medical Directive®, a HIPAA Waiver, Docubank Registration,
and more; we are also offering a 50% discount on a Last Will and Testament. Offer good until May 31, 2020. Call us to make a virtual or in-office appointment for a free initial consultation today at 703-691-1888.
Order Books by Evan Farr, 4-Time Best-Selling Author
|
Certified Elder Law Attorney and Medicaid Asset Protection Expert, Evan H. Farr, CELA, has written four best-selling books in the field of elder law. For more information and to order, click here.
|
Receive Special Reports of Your Choice
|
We offer free special reports for all of the topics below. To instantly subscribe to any of these reports, just click on the cover!
|
|
|
