Reply to To those that believe the elderly should always make their own decisions

Forum Index » Eldercare

Reply to "To those that believe the elderly should always make their own decisions"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I watched my inlaws literally die from being allowed to make their own decisions.  "They deserve to live and die how they want."

No, they  were in denial that they would die, period, refused treatment, got thrown out of rehab  for not cooperating, went home with poor and absent care  and died in a horrible nursing home due to systemwide septic shock and stroke. Horrible to watch. The other died at home, refusing help.  They actually  would have not only lived, but thrived  for several more years, even possibly a decade. One sibling did her best to let them do what they wanted. There's always one sibling who does this because they don't want to help.[/quote]

Exactly right. Do people let toddlers make their own decisions because ‘it’s easier’ or ‘it’s what they want to do’? Because that’s essentially the age-range you deal with as elderly fail[/quote]

In many ways the "classic" forms of dementia like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are easier because there's a clear trajectory and a list of defined options.  Moderate dementia without a diagnosis or mental illness are so so hard, especially if the person presents as normal long enough to get through a short interview.  There aren't legal mechanisms to intervene.  There often isn't universal family support to intervene.  Yet the person can do a lot of harm to themselves and others.  It's really hard.

For examples, recall all the examples of elderly people driving through farmer's markets or the wrong way down streets, killing and injuring people.  In those cases I bet all should have had their license taken away sooner, but there wasn't the family will or a legal means to do so.[/quote]

Until they reach a certain level they are considered sound to make their own decisions. It really is shocking what a doctor will consider mentally sound. With regard to driving that is another landmine and it varies by area. Some DMVs will suspend a license pending testing based on report of a concerned person, most won't. Some elderly family members are with it enough NOT to let you in the house to take the car keys. Occasionally the police can help. It's a nightmare and they have many, many rights.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics