WA Today’s recent article about traumatic CPR procedures being performed on very elderly nursing home residents highlights the need for good advance care planning.
These CPR procedures involve breaking bones in the chest, inserting a tube for oxygen and the injection of adrenaline and possibly an electric shock with a defibrillator. The paramedics interviewed commented on how a resident who may have died peacefully in their sleep is brought back to life using these traumatic techniques, only to die in hospital a few hours later.
The family of a very elderly or very unwell person should take the time to have a difficult conversation with their relative about that person’s final wishes and then discuss those final wishes with an expert to ensure that they are expressed in a legally binding way. Taking the time to plan and document end of life decisions can avoid unnecessary and traumatic procedures being performed on the elderly or unwell person and can give comfort to family members who will know that they are acting in accordance with their loved one’s final wishes.
Here at Catherine Henry Lawyers we can help you draft and sign an Advance Care Directive so that your end of life wishes are known and respected.
How the dying can ensure their wishes are met – Advance Care Directives
