Excerpt from: Maryland Elder Law (click for full article)
When people don’t understand the wisdom of the body, they will make decisions based on fear, lack of information or misinformation. This can lead to devastating physical, emotional and financial consequences for the patient and family as they seek futile or even harmful end of life care. Knowing and honoring the body’s changes will lead to the best possible choices and care for our loved ones.
As a healthcare professional working directly with those facing a terminal illness, I believe it is our work to excavate and correct the myths and misconceptions that may drive treatment decisions, including understanding their prior experience or knowledge of death.
The following is a list of what I have seen as the most common myths about the dying process.
Dying is painful
If people don’t eat they should get a feeding tube or they will starve to death
Not drinking leads to painful dehydration
If I don’t make use of every possible technology available, or if I tell the doctor to stop using machines to keep my loved ones alive, I am essentially killing them.
If they are allowed to stay in bed or sleep as much as they want, they are giving up and will die sooner.
People should be conscious until the moment of death. If they are increasingly tired or confused, they are being over-medicated.
Narcotic pain medications will cause loss of control or even hasten death
It’s too late to say good-bye if they are in a coma
Dying ends in a final struggle
If I’m not there when my loved ones die, I failed them.
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