Ideologically speaking, where does end-of-life care fit . . .



As has been mentioned in previous blog postings, end-of-life care is a very sensitive issue. Many people don't want to discuss it period - a taboo subject. The thing is, everyone among us will be touched by death in one way or another. This is one issue, that like it or not, will affect each of us in some way. It would be our feelings, as creators of this blogsite, that it be more of a positive, nurturing experience rather than the 'surprise' type of experience it is now. We will continue to discuss the issues surrounding death and dying here in Canada. Please join us in discussion.



The belief that everyone deserves the right to die with dignity is an honourable one indeed. Of course, 'dying with dignity' means different things to different people. A person who has reached the final days or weeks of life may want it simply to mean 'dying without pain' or 'dying in peace'. To the family members watching the death of a loved one, it may mean something different, like being able to die where one choses and with whom one choses to be with. It definitely means having the institutional supports in place to allow for choice. And yet, when asked in a survey, about 75% of respondants said they would prefer to die at home, while we know that 75% of deaths occur in an institutional setting. Something is not jiving with end-of-life care as it is being provided.



The more liberal view of end-of-life care respects this position of choice and the availability of state funded supports for both the dying and the caregivers. Only a few years ago, we were moving policy in a direction to provide for this choice. However, recent changes in our federal government - two years ago to the Conservative pary - and thus a change in government ideology to one with a neo-liberal view, this movement has stopped. Just as policy was being addressed and written to accommodate a more inclusive, nurturing end-of-life care continuum, it was halted and has yet to be addressed in the new government.

Sadly, we know though, is that a co-ordinated, well-orchestrated menu of choices for end-of-life care is not part of the agenda in Ottawa right now. Some of the most vulnerable citizens of this nation, those experiencing dying, die in a way that they don't chose. And those who must endure watching the death of their loved ones are often left with a more difficult bereavement, due to the circumstances of the dying experience.

It doesn't have to be so. Death with dignity, respect and choice is absolutely possible. As we move through this blog, we will look in depth at current policy (although there is nothing official) and make suggestions for improvement.