Euthanasia Easy death without suffering See handout See textbook pg.191

Types of Euthanasia Active /direct– taking steps to deliberately bring about the person’s death Passive/indirect – deliberately not taking steps to prevent a sick person’s death precisely with the desire and intention that this “withholding” will lead and cause death ( refusing minor surgical procedure) Intent is to kill or hasten death (pg. 192)

Euthanasia Deliberately taking steps to end the life of a suffering and incurably ill/injured person. Voluntary—with the express consent of the patient Involuntary– without the consent of the patient( patient is unconscious or disoriented)

Physician assisted suicide Patient killing self with the assistance of a physician.

Allowing death to occur is not the same as killing Ordinary vs. extraordinary means Ordinary— medical procedures that offer sufficient or reasonable benefits without undue burdens (cost, suffering) to the patient or family Extraordinary-procedures that offer little hope or which cause undue burden to patient and the family See pg.194 Means of Due Proportions—see handout

Concerns of the dying Fear of pain and suffering Losing control Not wanting to relinquish decision-making to health care professionals. Not wanting to become a burden (physical, financial or psychological) to loved ones

Care for the dying Living wills-declaration made by competent adults about health care they are to receive if they become incapacitated. Designated decision-maker—someone appointed to make decisions and carry out the wishes in the living will. Hospice movement

Hospice Considers death and dying as normal aspects of life. Family involvement in caring for the dying person Seeks to help those dying to be givers as well as receivers Actively involves the dying persons in decisions Spiritual dimension important.

A Word about Death See definition on handout Technology has conflicted the dying process Catholic Christians believe that death is Not the end, due to belief in the Resurrection we inherit eternal life and death is the “night” between two very different “days”.

A word about suffering See handout/ and next powerpoint