Not long ago I would have thought this awful. Then, I heard this podcast - RadioLab- The Bitter End
Evidently only 8% of people receiving CPR survive and of that 8%, only a small percentage have what's considered a good outcome.

CPR followed by/combined with heroic efforts to resuscitate an elderly person often amounts to little more than an expensive end of life medical rape.  As nfidel points out, one needs to consider the potential outcome of snatching an elderly person from the jaws of death.

Partner™ is elderly, has survived a number of treatments for cancer, and is on a shitload of medications for various ailments.  He isn’t able to live on his own, and if not for me would have to live with one of his children, which he and the lucky child would hate, or check into a Bedsore Manor type of facility.  He’s currently in remission from his cancer, is more or less oriented, is mobile, and has a good quality of life.

One night he had Cheyne–Stokes respiration, which is often a sign that death is imminent.  I assessed his condition and determined that he wasn’t having a stroke or heart attack, that he had taken too much pain medication in addition to his sleeping pill.  So I saw to it that he didn’t die because of an unintended OD, and if needed I would have called the paramedics.

Had he been having a heart attack or stroke, I would have let him go before calling 911.  In the unlikely event he survived a stroke or heart attack, his life would be a living hell for whatever time he had left, and I wouldn’t force that on him.

Last edited by fnord (2013-03-04 17:32:50)

whosasailorthen wrote:

It's just business, folks.  Nothing personal.

Whew! That's a relief.

Emmeran wrote:

fnord wrote:

Had he been having a heart attack or stroke, I would have let him go before calling 911.  In the unlikely event he survived a stroke or heart attack, his life would be a living hell for whatever time he had left, and I wouldn’t force that on him.

It is just common sense to have a personal "check out" plan, Melon's has already agreed to mine but hasn't been brave enough to come up with her own yet.  But eh, she's a lot younger and women live longer, she probably has plenty of time to get around to it.

Partner™ and I have Advance Health Care Directives, and are the Designated Plug Pullers for each other.  One of his children who lives near us is named as the Backup Plug Puller for each of us in case one or both of us are unable to fulfill their duties.