End-of-life care should never hasten death

“I want to change how the world sees my patients.”

These words were spoken by a neurologist on a new show called Brilliant Minds, based loosely on the life of the late Oliver Sacks. Dr. Wolf, the fictional doctor, spoke these words after he had taken some unconventional methods to awaken the memories of an Alzheimer’s patient. Knowing that this man was at the end of his life, he argued that he wanted to bring him joy when he could because he would not just allow the man to “rot” in bed.

As the show implies, too often in our country, those who are sick or who have limited abilities are considered useless and therefore disposable. But our faith teaches the truth that all human beings—regardless of their age or ability—are valuable because we all have inherent dignity and are created in the image and likeness of God.

“I want to change how the world sees my patients” is a philosophy all doctors and medical professionals should live by, regardless of whether the patient is a preborn baby or someone who is sick or elderly. Imagine a world where all people are treated with the dignity they deserve, where all human beings are valued, and where no one’s life is prematurely taken.

Sadly, this is not the world we currently live in. One look at recent headlines illustrates a deep disdain for the people that society does not deem valuable. We see news of suicide pods, more assisted suicide laws, and people crying out for abortion “rights.” All of these things have one thing in common—a disregard for the sanctity of life.

This disregard for life at all stages is something that American Life League fights against on a daily basis, especially during Respect Life Month. And one of our primary concerns is how the sick and elderly are treated in hospitals when facing a life-threatening emergency or the end of life.

It’s no secret that medical personnel within hospitals sometimes forego critical care when it comes to treating the sick and elderly. Not only do they encourage family members to just “let go” of their loved ones, but they actively advocate for the harvesting of vital organs, something that, unless it’s a kidney or the lobe of a liver, can only be done on a body that’s still alive and that then results in a dead person. As the Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership Organization states, “All vital organs—heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and intestines—must be healthy for transplantation. Only living persons have healthy organs.”

Through our work and our educational tools, ALL seeks to advocate for and protect you and your loved ones during these vulnerable times. We want you to understand that end-of-life care does not mean hasting death. End-of-life care requires protection, attention to treatment, and a discerning eye when reading through the legalese of paperwork.

One of our latest tools to help facilitate this respect for life is the Pro-Life Healthcare Directive and Durable Power of Attorney. This new healthcare directive is an update to the Loving Will document we created over 30 years ago to combat the living wills frequently promoted by the culture of death. Understanding that the changes in our culture today pose even greater threats to the sick or those nearing the end of their lives, we recently updated it with the help of lawyers and euthanasia experts and changed the name to Pro-Life Healthcare Directive and Durable Power of Attorney.

Our free downloadable document includes a wealth of information to help you make an informed decision about your health and treatment options before you become sick or unable to provide input into your care. It “instructs your family, friends, and healthcare providers to do nothing intentionally—by act or omission—to cause your death” and “ensures life-affirming medical treatment and care, including food, water, and oxygen.”

This vital tool is something every Christian family should have.

Helping you and your loved ones prepare for catastrophic illness or death is just one of the ways ALL works to change how the world sees the humanity of all people, for it is only when patients are seen as human beings rather than as burdens or commodities that we will truly create a culture of life.

Dr. Wolf said of his patient, “I choose to walk with him,” and so must we make that same decision. Walking with our loved ones at the end of life or when terminally ill means caring for them emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Walking with people at the end of life never means leading them toward an early death.

Catholic World Report