Projects / Reflections on End-of-Life Care

Reflections on End-of-Life Care

February 9, 2012
Reflections on End-of-Life Care

In our fragmented health care system, candid conversations about death and dying between patients, families, and doctors are far from routine. As a result, people’s wishes are often unknown or not honored.

In the videos below, people reflect on their experiences with death and dying. Two CHCF surveys explore attitudes on end-of-life care and the progress of palliative care programs in California hospitals; they are available under Related CHCF Pages below.

Honoring Wishes

 
For Raymond Wong, who takes care of his aging mother, the death of his brother left him acutely aware of the need to put his wishes in writing.

Not a Mindreader

 
When Maria Stone’s husband became critically ill, his reticence to discuss and document what he wanted left decisions in her hands.

Death a Part of Life

 
A physician studying to become a chaplain, Dr. LaVera Crawley says the health care industry only markets its successes, making it harder to acknowledge that death is part of life.

Listening to the Patient

 
Sister Martin Coleman, a care coordinator who lives at a nursing home, says the patient’s voice is critical to discussions about end-of-life care.

Gaining Strength

 
Nursing home resident Margot Bearden believes people are afraid of death because it is unknown to them. Talking about it and completing a POLST form can help.

Related CHCF Pages

Press Release 2/14/2012

Final Chapter: Californians' Attitudes and Experiences with Death and Dying

When Compassion Is the Cure: Progress and Promise in Hospital-Based Palliative Care

Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

External Resources

American Bar Assn. Commission on Law and Aging — Health Care Decision-Making

KQED's Forum with Michael Krasny — End-of-Life Decisions (with CHCF's Kate O'Malley)

Los Angeles Times — Having to Think About the Unthinkable (Steve Lopez, 12/14/2011)

Politico — Study: Concern as Hospice Use Rises (Joanne Kenen, 2/6/2013)

San Jose Mercury News — The Cost of Dying: It's Hard to Reject Care Even as Costs Soar (Lisa M. Krieger, 2/05/2012)

Zócalo Public Square — How Doctors Die (Ken Murray, 11/30/2011)

Related Tags:
Serious Illness & End-of-Life Care

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