End of Life Planning

Papers should be 2.5-3.5 pages, 12pt. font, double spaced, with APA format.

Position papers will be graded on a standard grading scale (0-100), see rubric attached.

During this class we have learned about the rights and options of the dying concerning medical treatment and life-support. We have also learned how effective some these treatments are, what treatments could be on the horizon, and how Americans in general (and physicians specifically) feel about life saving and life sustaining options. In this assignment, you will need to recruit a loved one (an adult) who is from another generation (a family member would be best).

*NOTE* we have learned about death denial and in general discussing death and dying can be very difficult with a parent or grandparent.

I myself do not like to think of my children as potentially dying, and my own parents may be concerned I am somehow waiting for them to die by talking about it. However, my 100 year old grandmother (who died last year) was very clear about her wishes and voicing them long before her death (she even planned her own funeral service right down to the music).

You may need to try a few people before someone agrees.Make sure your family member clearly understands the nature of this assignment and their role, and approach the subject tactfully. See "Talking to Your Parents About Death" on Doughty'sYoutube channel: if you think it may be helpful. Her posts, although comedic in nature and somewhat goofy, are backed by substantial research.

As with previous papers, I have outlined a number of questions to guide you. You do not have to answer them all, but make sure you hit all the "Parts" and integrate course concepts effectively for a strong paper. Choose the questions that are most important to you in your experiences and ones that you can tie strongly to the course materials for an effective paper.

Part 1: You will be using a commonly used, lay friendly document on end of life planning called Five Wishes. This is not a legal document in the watermarked, "SAMPLE" form I have provided, but rather a way to convey one's own preferences for health surrogate and end of life care using the most common format I know of that is not drawn up by a lawyer.

If you would like a copy that may be used as a legal document now or later you can obtain one from Big Bend Hospice for free, many hospitals and religious organizations can get them, OR you can purchase the paper or online version. For this assignment, you do not have to fill in personal or identifying information like addresses and you do not need witnesses. Rather this is a document to get you thinking and talking about what you would want for yourself at the end of life. Start by printing out or using electronic text, comment, bubbles, etc. to fill in the document for yourself. Send/give the document to your loved one so that they can also fill it out for themselves.

Part 2. Share and discuss your sample Five Wishes document with your loved one. How similar or different are your choices? Were there things you'd never thought of before? How has being in the same family but different ages shaped your wishes? Was it difficult to fill out this form for yourselves? To read your loved one's wishes? What have you learned about each other? Do you both find this information helpful for a potential emergency or just plain upsetting?

Part 3: Write a reflection paper on your own choices, the choices of your loved one, and what background characteristics have shaped similarities and differences in your choices. Engage course concepts and materials to support your statements. How are your choices in line with the general population? How do think your age, gender, education level, and other factors play into your wishes? Reflect on your conversation with your loved one. How were your wishes similar or different and why?

How difficult was it to share wishes? Finally, how has this class shaped your wishes? Has what you have learned made you more or less likely to want aggressive life saving treatments? Has what you have learned shaped your wishes surrounding your pain, emotional needs, etc.? How did sharing your wishes and talking about them make you think about your own choices and preferences?