A better way of dying
Subtitle: how to make the best choices at the end of life
By: Jeanne Fitzpatrick & Eileen M. Fitpatrick
Contributors: Fitzpatrick, Eileen M.
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 2010
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 222
ISBN-13: 9780143116752
Description: "Advanced directives and living wills have improved our ability to dictate end-of-life care, but even these cannot guarantee that we will be allowed the dignity of a natural death. Designed by two sisters-one a doctor, one a lawyer-and drawing on their decades of experience, the five-step Compassion Protocol outlined in A Better Way of Dying offers a simple and effective framework for leaving caretakers concrete, unambiguous, and legally binding instructions about your wishes for your last days. Meant for people in every walk of life-from the elderly, to those in the early stages of mentally degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, to healthy young people planning for an unpredictable future-this book creates space for a discussion we all must have if we wish to ensure comfort and control at the end of our lives.." -- from publisher's website.
Table of contents: title: Foreword; title: Prologue; title: Attorney Eileen Fitzpatrick; title: Dr. Jeanne Fitzpatrick; title: section 1. Death and dying in America; title: 1. The need for change : the cautionary tale of Phyllis Shattuck; title: Dr. Fitzpatrick tells Phyllis Shattuck's story; title: Reflections; title: How this book will help; title: Lessons to learn; title: New name, old concept; title: 2. Your right to die; title: Your right to die is born : the case of Karen Ann Quinlan; title: The Supreme Court weights in : the case of Nancy Cruzan; title: Advance directive forms : an imperfect solution; title: The more things change, the more they stay the same : the case of Terri Schiavo; title: Moving forward : comfort care only and the Compassion Protocol; title: A personal choice; title: section 2. Who can use the Compassion Protocol; title: 3. The competent elderly; title: Dr. Fitzpatrick tells Willa Simpson's story; title: Learning from Willa; title: The Compassion Protocol increases choice and control at the end of lie; title: The Compassion Protocol and the competent elderly; title: 4. The terminally ill; title: Dr. Fitzpatrick tells Melissa Blackburn's story; title: Terminal illness and the Compassion Protocol; title: Current practices; title: Compassion Protocol practices; title: 5. Alzheimer's dementia and the Compassion Protocol; title: Dr. Fitzpatrick tells Carl Novack's story; title: Alzheimer's dementia and the Compassion Protocol; title: Is this really legal?; title: Updating time-honored advice; title: section 3. How the Compassion Protocol works; title: 6. Step one : know your options; title: Option one : don't go to the hospital again; title: Option two : refuse antibiotics; title: Option three : discontinue your usual medications; title: Option four : refuse hydration and nutrition; title: Health care options summary; title: Choosing when your options take effect; title: Step one summary; title: 7. Step two : make your decisions; title: Introduction to step two; title: The Compassion Protocol worksheet; title: Your list of pros and cons; title: A story of our own worst fears; title: Step two and the Alzheimer's patient; title: Selecting a health care decision maker; title: Review; title: 8. Step three : communicate your decisions; title: The importance of full and adequate communication : the story of Ray Sullivan; title: What constitutes effective communication?; title: Tell your health care decision maker; title: Tell your doctor and other health care providers; title: Tell your family; title: Tell your friends; title: Dr. Fitzpatrick talks about her end-of-life choices; title: Attorney Fitzpatrick talks about her end-of-life choices; title: Step three summary; title: 9. Step four : do the paperwork; title: Introduction to the Contract for Compassionate Care; title: Legal basis of the Compassion Protocol; title: The long and short of legal forms; title: And never forget the "people" part; title: 10. Step five : plan the kind of death you want; title: Changing society one death at a time; title: 11. Hospice and the Compassion Protocol; title: The importance of fighting for life and of letting go : Dr. Fitzpatrick tells the story of one patient's experience with hospice; title: The team approach; title: Paying for hospice; title: Hospice and the Compassion Protocol; title: 12. Everyone's worst fear : the nursing home; title: Dr. Fitzpatrick relates the story of Sean O'Connor : a regrettably common nursing home experience; title: Understanding you nursing home option; title: Nursing homes : a growth business; title: The home health care alternative; title: When the system works : Dr. Fitzpatrick tells the story of Sally Forest; title: Reflections; title: 13. Looking ahead; title: Appendix A. Contract for Compassionate Care; title: Appendix B. Tools for the Compassion Protocol; title: Glossary.