How old is too old

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Originally Posted by Marigold2

Would anyone be willing to sign such a form?

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I would, but of course if I were unable to make the decision my husband would do that for me. We have no children so the decision would be his alone and I trust him to do what he feels is the right thing.

We are going through the alzheimer's disease with my husbands mom right now. It is so sad to see her slipping away.
I've told Mark many times if I ever get like that I hope he puts me in a nursing home. I wouldn't know the difference and I wouldn't want him to waste what's left of his life trying to take care of me.

At 80 when Mama was discovered to have cancer, she already had dementia but the one things she was constant and firm about was, she didn't want surgery or treatment for her cancer. She clearly said she had a great life, enjoyed every minute of it but she was fine with "going" on and was ready. I respected that no matter how much the doctors pressed me to have her declared incompetent and get her that surgery. I have told my kids I hope they will respect MY wishes when my time comes like I did for Mama.

They said Mama had only a year without the surgery and it would be a long and painful death for her but I am here to tell you, they were wrong. She had GOOD quality of life up to the day she died and was even up and out of bed the day she died. If she'd had that surgery, she would never have gotten out of bed again. She did it HER WAY and to me that was the right way. She was at peace with her pending death, not afraid of it at all. I have said many times, while she was dying was some of the best times we ever had together.

My biggest fear all my life was being unable to care for myself, being completely helpless and a burden on my family. I hope when my time comes, I can do it with the peace and grace that my Mom did.

Having worked in a hospital before I have seen the lengths to which the medical establishment will go to keep someone alive (particularly if their children demand it). I have always been very clear that I do NOT want that to happen to me. The quality of life is bad and generally people are in more pain and discomfort than if they had not received treatment.

I believe in DNR order and living wills. I just wish that everyone else did

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Originally Posted by pomtzu

I have a living will which spells out my wishes. I opted for the "do not resuscitate" clause, and no heroics are to be used to keep me alive should I lapse into a vegetative state. There is no way I want to be kept alive, simply because modern medicine has the ability to do this. When I can no longer function on my own, then it's time for me to move on. I want my family to remember me as a reasonably active and lucid person, and not be left with memories of an old lady hooked up to machines, and unaware of her surroundings. That's not living - it's only existing.

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As I posted earlier in this thread...........
I carry a copy in my wallet, and my son has a copy here at home.