All part of a growing trend. I know this for sure as my mother was in hospital after a fall early January. The consultant called us in to a meeting, which wasn't so much about her condition and treatment, but more about making sure that DNR information was in place.
Maybe MP's should be talking about this.
Who is driving this forward?
Govt
Health care management
Any elders wish to comment on this?
Anyone with an elderly relative wish to comment on this?
DNR was applied to to my father the night before he slipped away and also to my dear mother who I can proudly confirm has beaten the confirmed Covid-19 at the ripe old age of 80+. She has umpteen underlying health issues too.
Wrt DNR the doctor went through a lengthy explanation which I accepted. Not sure if I had a choice as it was pretty FYI but I agree with DNR so here goes.
With elderly patients if the heart stops from a bout of coughing or lack of oxygen, to restart the heart they need to apply chest compression and electric shock etc. This can lead to damage or broken ribs as well as skin burn from the electric shock. Morever, current passing through body can cause further damage to internal organs. Hence, whilst the heart may restart, when the patient comes round often they are in greater discomfort than before but have a ticking heart. More often than not with the elderly their revival is short lived and they eventually pass away but in greater discomfort then if they had allowed the body a graceful release to end life.
There is also the treatment of sticking a tube down ones lungs. However, this is not very pleasant either and with the elderly the ability of the lungs to recover is limited. Effectively they need a machine to continuously pump oxygen which is not a long term practical solution.
Effectively, the doctor informed me she would not be placed in ICU.
They would try and help her as much as possible and offer pure oxygen for her to use at her choice.
Having discussed these issues with my dear mother before, I requested the doctor do not disclose this information to her but simply tell her what / how they were going to treat her.
That's it. Anyhow very proud of dear mum for beating the blasted bug.
On another note, as I have commented before we have family planning and there should be death planning too. Where somebody has had enough, they should have the right to be released. It really sticks in my throat that big G, and the rest get to say what should happen to you with respect to ones very own life. I'm aware of complex issues around not having the presence of mind etc etc., but where one does have all their faculties in tact this should not even be up for debate.