Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Decision Making "process"?

The Decision Making Process is a model for decision making designed to help people make choices when facing a health care dilemma. Many issues need to be taken into consideration when coping with end of life issues. The method we use is a process. That is it is not a "quick fix." It is discernment in action.

Our "Decision Making Model" consists of a series of specific questions. The process is facilitated by a trained mediator. It is designed to gather information about the medical, social, psychological and religious issues influencing the difficult decisions an individual or family may face.

To learn this process, and about the other decision making processes available, contact us at CenterforEthics@aol.com. We offer yearly seminars teaching this process. To learn more, call (847) 509-9130 or visit CenterforEthics@aol.com.

What are the important elements to consider when evaluating the decision to withdraw feeding tubes?

The decision to remove a feeding tube can be complex and should involve a team consisting of family, religious, medical and if necessary-psychological guidance. The patient must have a voice in any such decision if at all possible. When not possible the surrogate or guardian holds the voice of the patient and speaks for the patient. Each individual case is quite different. When faced with such decisions we recommend utilizing The Center's "Decision Making Model" to formally evaluate the influencing factors, values and other considerations.

What are senior citizen rights in retirement homes?

Before entering a nursing home, the person and their family should work with the facility to discuss the rights and responsibilities of the facility and the resident. If there are specific questions call or e-mail The Center as needed. Knowing the state in which the patient lives is very helpful. We also recommend that individuals visit the following websites to thoroughly research all potential issues:

www.seniorresource.com
www.aarp.org
www.elderlawanswers.com
www.aoa.dhhs.gov
www.abanet.org/aging
www.elderabusecenter.org

How can community members train to assist with Decision-Making?

The Center for Ethics and Advocacy in Healthcare provides training on the "Decision Making Model," designed to assist families and individuals in making difficult healthcare related decisions. The Center offers training to become a facilitator, using this Model. For more information or to speak with someone personally about working through decision making, contact us at CenterforEthics@aol.com, or call (847) 509-9130

Where do we get forms for living wills, durable power of attorney, and healthcare proxy services?

For the State of Illinois visit:
www.idph.state.il.us/public/books/PwrOf.PDF (Durable Power of Attorney)

For other States visit The State Department of Health website in your state. There is usually no charge for these documents.

What is Alzheimers, and how and when do you intervene?

"Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations.

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, new treatments are on the horizon as a result of accelerating insight into the biology of the disease. Research has also shown that effective care and support can improve quality of life for individuals and their caregivers over the course of the disease from diagnosis to the end of life." - Courtesy of www.alz.org

The Alzheimer’s Association recommends contacting your physician if you exhibit any of the following warning signs:

1. Memory Loss
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation to time and place
5. Poor or decreased judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood or behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

For more information, visit www.alz.org

What is "Terminal Wean?"

"Terminal Wean" is the intentional reduction of medical life-support, especially mechanical or supplemental respiration, allowing a patient to die.

The decision to stop providing care for a patient is made daily in most hospitals. Hospitals and nursing homes should have a policy available with regard to withdrawing or withholding treatment.

The use of the expression "terminal wean" is of concern to The Center because of the terms used. The word "wean" is used in situations where life and growth are cherished and supported, as in the weaning a child from the breast. To transfer use of this word to a situation where life supports are being withdrawn mixes metaphors and can contribute to demoralization of the life-death environment. Consideration of withdrawing or withholding life supports is a situation to be handled with the utmost care and concern. The transferring of images so closely connected to life should be avoided. The word "wean" has to do with the beginning of life. It’s use, if in conjunction with the word "terminal", moves one into the death experience.

Can minor patients be treated without consent of a parent or guardian?

In some cases it is the decision of the guardian of the child and the physician as to whether the child is mature enough to make decisions regarding their health without the influence or presence of their parents. Some physicians may require that a document be signed in various situations. Talk to your doctor for more information about their policy.

How do adult children develop a medical care plan for their parents when siblings are spread out in different states?

This question requires a personal response because distance and state laws change relationships, and the impact that this might have on decision making could be significant.

Where do you get information on alternative medicine?

Alternative Medicine refers to a medical care approach that is outside of the realm of conventional medicine, as practiced in the U.S. Alternative medicine consists of a diverse group of medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine. Many questions about alternative medicine are not yet answered through well-designed scientific studies. The safety and efficacy of these therapies has not been proven.

However, the merit of alternative medicines can be seen in the Chinese philosophy and their history of using alternative therapies. When modern medicine fails, alternative techniques can provide useful or helpful solutions. However, conventional treatment should not be used to the exclusion of the alternative medicine, and visa versa.

For more information about alternative medicine, visit http://nccam.nih.gov/

How do cultural differences affect Healthcare decision making?

Response forthcoming

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Note: There are some questions to which we will not respond via Internet. Some are too sensitive and will require a phone conversation, a face-to-face appointment, or a home visit. The answers offered here should not be considered the "final answers" to all situations. Because of the uniqueness of people and variations in individual situations, some of the solutions offered may not apply to all circumstances.