Thursday, July 18, 2019

Woman pressured to approve death by sedation / dehydration for her Aunt.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Alex Schadenberg
Today I spoke with a woman who is the Power of Attorney for her 89 year-old aunt, who is currently in a Toronto hospital. 
The niece called EPC because she is upset about the lack of care that her Aunt is receiving.

Her Aunt went to the hospital a few weeks ago with pneumonia. Her doctor decided to do nothing for her. The doctor said:
"she's not going to get better"
The doctor pressured the niece to have her Aunt sedated and dehydrated to death. 

Her niece demanded another doctor and insisted on treatment. Her Aunt is now clear from the pneumonia.


Her Aunt is recovering but the hospital continues to pressure her  niece to have her Aunt sedated and dehydrated to death. The only reason her niece could think of why they are doing this is that her Aunt is 89. Her niece said:
"she doesn't have cancer, she doesn't have any life-threatening condition."
I urged the niece to keep defending her Aunt's right to receive treatment and care.

I consider this to be elder abuse and discrimination. What makes it worse is that the abuse and discrimination seems to be institutionalized.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) sells the Life Protecting Power of Attorney to protect you.

The Life Protecting Power of Attorney states your wishes and enables your power of attorney to make medical decisions on your behalf. It protects you from euthanasia and assisted suicide and it defines the treatment/care decisions that you want in the event that you are unable to make medical decisions yourself.

The Life Protecting Power of Attorney gives you the piece of mind that EPC will help you if your expressed wishes are ignored or if a hospital or doctor pressures or attempts to impose medical treatment or care decisions upon you.

Purchase the Life Protecting Power of Attorney for Personal Care (Link) by contacting EPC at: 1-877-439-3348 or info@epcc.ca

If you have concerns contact the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition at: 1-877-439-3348 or Compassionate Community Care at: 1-855-675-8749.

8 comments:

Suzanne J. said...

This is getting more and more frightening -- by the day! The last time I went to a hospital ER, I was asked if I would 'want', or would 'consider', MAiD. I was stunned by the question! I'd had a 'cold' for a few days, that had quickly turned into a raging lung infection; and I'd gone there for HELP -- at the behest of my family doctor, who said that I would need 'I.V. antibiotics'!

Even though I DO have a number of serious health conditions and 'disabilities', I will NOT go back to a hospital ER -- UNLESS I'm actually, 'dying' -- and maybe, NOT even THEN!

However, when I consider the prospect of dying at home, ALONE; that is ALSO pretty darned 'terrifying'! The thought that it could take days (or weeks) for my corpse to be discovered, is NOT so 'nice' either!

In this day and age, the death bed scene where the person who is dying is surrounded by his/her loving family members, is becoming less and less frequent!!

Nancy said...

Let's get the names of any such insensitive doctors and institutions published, including right here! And, if that doesn't improve things, let's get the names of the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Health Professions Review Boards published, including right here!

Dr. Arnold Voth said...

This is not acceptable practice of medicine, either before any MAID laws were passed nor after. If not already done I would suggest a formal complaint to the hospital and to the College of Physicians. Another avenue of protest might be to consult the hospital ethicist who, in most hospitals (should be in all) is accessible to any complaints from anyone regarding what happens in the hospital. arnold voth md edmonton

elizsend said...

Dr Schadenberg....I expect more clarity from you on the subject of euthanasia.
This case and the treatment recommended may very well be palliative and indicated in this particular case.
It is NOT euthanasia if treatment is given to relieve pain and suffering when someone is dying. Please help educate your subscribers on the difference.
God bless you and help you be discerning in your comments.

darleneT said...

My brother at the end of 2018 and beginning of yhis year went to hospital with what was thought to be pneumonia. Became very serious. He was intubated after he was asked if he was to be coded or not by Er staff; transferred and his wife at his side was asked a few days later again. Then after being put out for treatment to reduce respiratory distress. His sedation being eased periodically the Internest x2 at different days again asked while my brother was in pain and in much discomfort from intubation tubes; did he want to be extubated! Neglecting to mention at that pount he would die if tube removed. Changing the question to different ways. Even asking when his wife was absent to get a different answer. Very confusing to someone not in the medical field.

Nan said...

Three years ago, the lady I was power of attorney for, passed away in hospital. Twice she was administered a morphine patch. She was not dying. The first time, the night nurse made the mistake of calling me to say the lady had a bad night, restless and shallow breathing. I hurried to the hospital and in a few minutes a nurse and her doctor came in. They did something and went out. (removed the patch) The doctor came in with a syringe. When I asked what it was he said "an antidote". In ten minutes she was laughing and talking and eating grapes. They made sure the second time that nobody called until it was too late. She had the same symptoms, restless night, shallow breathing, and died. Alone. I wrote a 7 page letter to the College of Physicians. They were courteous. Nothing happened though. I know what I
know.

Alex Schadenberg said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alex Schadenberg said...

I am not a doctor, nor do I claim to be a doctor. I am not misleading anyone, according to the niece, who is the legal power of attorney, this woman would have wanted treatment for pneumonia, she was not dying or nearing death and after receiving treatment the pneumonia did clear up. She stated that they continued to pressure her to have her Aunt sedated and have all treatment withdrawn.