April 20, 2005 Ethical Dilemmas at the end of life, in cooperation with Hospice Foundation of America
May 8, 2005 A Legal Peaceful Choice -- Voluntarily Refusing Food and Fluid at the end of life |
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| Topics on which Dr. Stan Terman can speak: |
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| 1. Let's discuss the proposed California Compassionate Choice Act (AB654). |
a. What are the ethical, moral, and religious implications of Physician-Assisted Suicide?
b. Is it a good law in terms of protecting individuals from impulsive deaths?
c. Do we really need a new law, or do legal clinical alternatives already exist?
d. How well is the similar law working -- Oregon's Death With Dignity Act?
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| 2. What should we learn from the prolonged litigation over the life of Terri Schiavo? |
a. Was she played like a political football resulting from political polarization?
b. How can we make sure our Advance Directives will be followed in light of the awesome power of legislators, governors, and judges?
c. Can society afford to indefinitely maintain people who have lost their awareness?
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| 3. How can we plan ahead for a dignified death if the diagnosis is Alzheimer's disease? |
a. What special considerations need to be included in Advance Directives?
b. When that "time" comes, will you be able to meet the potential challenges?
c. As a family member, how can you approach a loved one who has just been diagnosed in the earliest stage, to discuss the options?
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| 4. Advance Directives – beyond the misleading hopeful basics |
a. Why might your Living Will fail?
b. How might your designated proxy let your down?
c. How might those in power sabatoge the honoring of your last wishes?
d. To avoid unnecessary, prolonged suffering at the end of life, how does Voluntary Refusal of Food and Fluid compare to self-deliverance and physician-hastened dying.
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| 5. What are the moral and religious implications of Voluntary Refusal of Food and Fluid? |
a. What do the major religions say about Voluntary Refusal of Food and Fluid?
b. Is it moral for physicians to inform their patients about this option?
c. What are your alternatives if your physician’s personal values conflict with your last wishes, or those of your loved ones?
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| 6. What are the two greatest fears for the last chapter of life? |
a. Why do we need a different strategy for each?
b. Is it always best to name someone who loves us to be our proxy to make medical decisions, if we no longer can?
c. What is the alternative? (Caring Advocates)
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