How Do We Want To Die?
At the end of life, many people end up in a hospital. Whether or not they would prefer to die at home, more than half of the people in Germany die in intensive care units. Some die in nursing homes and a few die in hospices.
Why is that? Most people want to die at home. But only very few manage to fall asleep peacefully with their family.
Take Ingrid L., who’d been in a coma for three months following a cardiac arrest and was on a ventilator. Her husband was desperately fighting for the doctors to follow her living will and let her die. “It’s a horror! She never wanted to live hooked up to machines for months on end, like that,” he said. Modern medicine is making it possible to keep people alive for longer and longer.
However, hospitals can also earn a lot of money by treating the seriously ill, especially in intensive care units. Intensive care physician Uwe Janssens believes that, when it comes to death and dying, economics often plays a key role.
People die almost every day in Janssens’ intensive care unit at St. Antonius Hospital in Eschweiler. More and more elderly patients are on ventilators for an indefinite period of time. Doctors, nurses and the hospital’s chaplain meet regularly to discuss ethics: Should a critically ill patient be assisted in dying, or kept alive artificially? What is the aim of therapy? What is the patient’s will? What is medically feasible, what makes sense? Even for doctors, decisions at the end of a patient’s life are never easy. The film touches on a taboo in Western society. How can people be protected from artificially extended morbid illness, yet still receive the medical help they need and want?
@NS-my5ko
I’m a hospice nurse and I’ve had several of my patients tell me they want to pass peacefully in the comfort of their own home. When the patient and family are on board with hospice, their passing can be beautiful, with minimal pain, symptoms, and lots of love and support.
@Austin8thGenTexan
In 2013 my father died in a 28 bed nonprofit residential hospice in Tyler, Texas. I followed the ambulance for 30 miles from our family home to the hospice. The EMTs told me not to try to follow them if they should turn their emergency lights on to rush to a hospital during the journey. I then showed them a copy of the DNR orders, and they said “never mind. If he dies during the trip, just meet us at the hospice and we’ll take it from there.” I was so relieved. They took wonderful care of him for a week, and then he quietly passed away. He was 85, and suffering from congestive heart failure. None of this hospital bureaucracy nonsense.
@mikaylaknighton
Great video! I agree with Dr. Uwe Janssens , that it should be mandatory for every hospital to have an ethical policy/ committee. Dignity, not profit, should be of the utmost importance, at the end of life care.
@christiaancoetzee2964
I suffered a heart attack and stroke in the past 18 months (good health otherwise with no chronic conditions apart from a damaged heart) and this made me think about the best option should I have an option on where to pass. I am of the opinion that a neutral environment will be best for my loved ones as dying at home would in my opinion create a negative memory in that area of our home and my family would constantly be reminded of this event in their everyday life. A prolonged illness at home would also burden family and loved ones. I do not want to be kept on life support and being religious, I believe the very second of death is decided by God and therefore the thought does not alarm or scare me. I was told upon my last discharge to get my business and paperwork in order as I am a high risk patient and I appreciated the doctor’s honesty (very professional to ensure. patient is well informed); however did not sit and wait for it possibly happening, but am enjoying life. Had some major improvement since and appreciate every day.
@KiwikimNZ
I personally think that elderly dementia patients who are living lives that are usually not very nice lives should be taken off all of the incessant medications keeping them alive it’s cruel.
@juanitarichards1074
I don’t ever want to be kept alive artificially and this is reflected in my will. I have my best friend as my Power of Attorney who knows and agrees with what I want, as does my family. They all agree and feel the same way as I do. When our time is up our time is up. I do not fear death only the manner of my going. I also believe in euthanasia when there is no hope and death will be prolonged and painful. I have seen firsthand how all the pain relief and the best medical care is not enough for some cancer patients, my mother being one…….
@pearlyung
Do not resuscitate is my wish.
@hiongun
I’m quadraplegic lying on a nursing hospital, 54 years old. I expect me lying at least 15 years more, and I want to live on for now. I see every day older patients suffering here without any meaningful life. When a patient dies, the first feeling for the passed is ‘finally good for him/her.’ Everybody knows that at least 1/3 of patients here are ‘dead bodies, barely alive.’ It’s better off inject pacifying medication to induce a peaceful, decent death. But that’s a serious homicide. We need a social discussion on using more actively some death-conducing medication, without the risk of being accused.
@amywan1653
Great respect to nurse Alice!
@Witchfoot.Incorporated
If they’re brain dead, they left already.
@crescentmoon256
People should not be forced to live, right to suicide should be recognized.
@jacquilambneveroncethought281
Well I have a DNR which gives me some assurance that when the time comes I CAN JUST GO.
@batenoshmelakeselam6384
I wish I spend my final day by the sea shore enjoying nature with some one who can hold hug laugh joke… I don’t want any of my closest people arround me when I die!!!!!
@beautyRest1
In Germany things are a little different. I think they care more about the patients, where in the US it all about MONEY, MONEY , MONEY!
@mother8696
That is not so. Retired RN here…I have watched my dear colleagues for many, many years. I’ve been a labor delivery nurse, Hospice nurse, Community Health nurse, Medical Surgical nurse, and Psychiatric nurse. Oh if you only knew the love, patience, fortitude, intelligence and self-sacrificing people. Don’t use a broad stroke against the USA.. she’s my home and these are my people. Blessings to Germany from the USA
@beautyRest1
I know of coworkers who arrived at hospital with a heart attack and were asked for their credit card. Hospital, insurance and health care is a big business. Medication is the most high in the US. Of course there are passionate and caring doctors, nurses and hospital staff. I live in the US and I know. I try to stay away from hospitals, doctors and medication as long as I can.
@troyball7917
People are greedy, he has lived his life just turn the life support off.
Do not resuscitate is my wish.
XXX
