Should we pull the plug on Grandma?

I am happy to be back to blogging and hope to post more frequently in the weeks and months to come.

Recently our county has been having a national debate on health care reform. During this conversation, pundits and politicians alike have accused the government of wanting to establish "death panels" that will make decisions about "pulling the plug on grandma" to save costs. Obviously this is a complex and difficult issue that has been oversimpified in the media. There are many, many facets to this conversation and I plan to address several of them in the weeks to come. However, when I look at how families make end-of-life decisions, my first question it: Is saving grandma in her best interests? Or do you want to save grandma for your sake, not hers?

In my experience, many elderly and ill patients are tired and uncomfortable and are ready to pass on "to a better place". Sometimes family members (who are usually health care power of attorney) believe that everything should be done to prevent grandma's death and save her life, despite what grandma says. Lifesaving interventions might include hospitalization, medications, IV fluids, or tube feeding(which usually requires minor surgery). I contend that in many cases when family members make decisions to safe a life, they are making them for selfish reasons, not for the sake of grandma. Perhaps they cannot imagine life without grandma. Maybe they cannot handle the guilt of making the decision not to save grandma's life. Whatever the reason, I can't help but wonder whether letting grandma die a peaceful and natural death is more humane than making her endure uncomfortable or painful procedures to sustain her life for a few days, weeks, or months. Which brings back the question..why are we saving grandma? Is saving grandma in her best interests? Or do you want to save grandma for your sake, not hers?