Most people would say the ideal way to die is one where they’ve been able to a tie up loose ends, say farewell to loved ones and leave this world without plunging their family into dept with huge medical bills. A Better Way of Dying: How to Make the Best Choices at the End of Life, co-authored by sisters Jeanne Fitzpatrick, M.D. and Eileen M. Fitzpatrick, J.D. provides a logical method of making realistic end-of-life decisions.
The authors guide readers through various scenarios discussing usual medical procedures. We learn about choices we have the right to make to ensure control over our own end-of-life experience.
Having a Living Will and Do Not Resuscitate order are steps in the right direction, but inadequate to fully protect us from unwanted aggressive medical treatment when we are ready to die.
A long slow death in a nursing home is a nightmare most of us would avoid if given the chance. Whether the cause of death is the result of a terminal illness, dementia, an accident, or just old age, there are steps we can take to ensure our end-of-life experience is what we want it to be, not what insurance companies dictate, or what hospitals can do to prolong life with various life-support equipment.
A Better Way of Dying introduces The Compassion Protocol, a step-by-step guide that helps people experience a natural death in a timely fashion. The suggestions introduced in this book are practical and ethical.
I consider this compassionate book an important read for the young, old and everyone in between. Although we have already signed Living Will and Do Not Resuscitate forms, my husband and I now realize that we have more to do. From Doctor Jeanne Fitzpatrick we learn how end-of-life treatments are carried out unless patients have taken steps to avoid it. From attorney Eileen M. Fitzpatrick we learn how we can legally protect ourselves and our loved ones from expensive treatment that only prolongs the evitable.
For more information, visit www.compassionprotocol.com
Pingback: Mary E. Trimble Book Review: A Better Way of Dying | Camano Community
When I leave this page, I’ll be ordering the book. I have a living will, etc. but sounds like I need more. I have no fear of dying, just fear of the sometimes long, drawn out process of dying. Thanks, Mary.
Thank you for the feedback, Eunice. I guarantee it’s a helpful book.
Thanks so much for this review, Mary. My husband and I have been updating our wills and getting Living Wills and other documents in place. When we moved to Idaho, we had to take care of these responsibilities. I had not heard of this book and will get it. As you say, we all need to know our rights and responsibilities. It is so important!
Julie, the information is vital. The examples the authors give are so good and clear. Gulp! It really is important.
I found this very interesting, and helpful. Thanks, Mary.
Irene, I could go on and on about the suggestions made in this book. It’s very worthwhile.
Mary, thank you for bringing to attention the end of life questions. Although we talk about it, have signed the organ donor card, we should learn more from the experts in medical and legal fields.
It’s amazing, Hema, how much control we can have, but we have to prepare in advance.
Insightful review of this book, Mary. The many entities one has to consider needs a helpful guide like this. A Better Way of Dying is on my TBR list… Thanks for sharing!
Alice, my husband Bruce is reading it now. We’re definitely going to take these steps.