Originally Posted by Craig (Post 2622211)

I have no intention of allowing myself to need "long term care."

Originally Posted by el presidente (Post 2622220)

Move to Oregon, which allows assisted suicide?

Originally Posted by suginami (Post 2622218)

I don't have it yet, but I will look at buying it when I'm about 50 years old since the premiums are affordable when you are younger.

I have large life insurance and disability insurance policies, so my family will be able to keep our house and maintain their current lifestyle in the event of my death or permanent disability.

My kids will have to pay for their way through college, though. :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by el presidente (Post 2622210)

Depends. If your mind was still sharp, but body was failing....that would be harder than suffering with alzheimers.

My wife is a Geriatric NP....she deals with these issues daily.

Originally Posted by aklim (Post 2622230)

Yes it would be harder. HOWEVER, with Alzheimer you get to KNOW what awaits you. Kinda like dying many times before you are dead.

Small world. So is my wife, among other things. Unlike our wives, we can choose no to deal with these things.

Originally Posted by Craig (Post 2622222)

They can arrest me after, if it ever comes to that.

Originally Posted by el presidente (Post 2622205)

How many here have long term care insurance? I don't, yet, but it is part of my planning process.

Originally Posted by kerry (Post 2622244)

I've got an appointment with a long term care insurance agent in a couple of weeks. The problem with wishing one's own death upon the prospects of nursing care is that it's possible you may not be in a condition to carry out the plan when the need arises. Family members are typically very reluctant to off a family member in that situation. PBS Frontline had a show on it a couple of weeks ago. Some family members were willing but the unwilling always trumped the willing in discussions with doctors.

Originally Posted by el presidente (Post 2622227)

Hi Paul :)

Wise planning. Most people don't realize the significant financial and emotional burdens on the family when it comes to end of life care.

Originally Posted by aklim (Post 2622055)

Are you talking of a Medical POA or Living will? How does the first responder or ALS know whether you have the order or not unless you are in a nursing home where your charts are easily available, or so the theory goes. The numbnuts there quite often just dial 911 and don't even give report so the ER has to start from square 1. Wear a band is the answer. Or is it? You don't get to write a novel on that little strip. If you say DNR or No Tube Feeding, that is what they will do. Great. What if you don't want CPR under certain conditions but are ok with it under different conditions?

You choose whether to die in dignity or not. Nature chooses nothing. I have seen a lot of animals die in some horrible conditions.

Edit: I THINK that a way might be to put on your bracelet a statement about a living will or POA and state where it can be found.

Originally Posted by 10fords (Post 2622435)

I'm sure protocols vary, but in my district you can have your DNR on file with the EMS agency so that when the call is dispatched responders will be notified of your wishes. I have also had family members show us the signed DNR when arrive on scene. Either way it is always tough to not do anything while someone is dying, as it goes against all your instincts.

Originally Posted by kerry (Post 2621689)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/opinion/31jacoby.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

I agree with Jacoby that the prospects of very old age are not good. Claude Levy-Strauss who died at 100+ years had similar thoughts about the concluding years of his life. My father-in-law who died this year at 90+ who was an active walker and who was confined to a bed in a nursing home for the last couple of years of his life, finally just stopped eating to get it over with.

Originally Posted by Botnst (Post 2623242)

More generally: Who gets to determine when a life is worth living?