Quality of life of life issues are often discussed in relationship to the approp
ID: 122798 • Letter: Q
Question
Quality of life of life issues are often discussed in relationship to the appropriateness of medica interventions in acute care settings. Quality of life also the central discussions of self-determination and the choice of hospice care. As the costs of long-term care rise and the numbers needing care incr how decide if cost of care rather than quality of life is driving mechanism in an individual's care needs of their parents? Quality of life of life issues are often discussed in relationship to the appropriateness of medica interventions in acute care settings. Quality of life also the central discussions of self-determination and the choice of hospice care. As the costs of long-term care rise and the numbers needing care incr how decide if cost of care rather than quality of life is driving mechanism in an individual's care needs of their parents?Explanation / Answer
Quality of life should ideally be the driving mechanism for deciding to take care of your parents, rather than cost of care because; as parents we spare no expenses to provide for our wards. We tend to not buy what we want, so that we can utilize that money to by what our children have asked us to buy. Every parent does the same for his/her child/children, irrespective of the nationality. Where there are state run hospices, cost should not be an issue, but when we have to shell it out from our own pockets; it is better to let the people involved what to do. As nurses, we do get involved in these discussions. My prerogative would be to let the sons/daughters taking these decisions know above the above fact and then finally let them make their own decision. As to the appropriateness of medical interventions is concerned; again it is a family decision. If the person who has to undergo the intervention is not able to due so due to financial reasons, alternative remedies/ sources of help should be informed to them, so that the people involved may take the best option out of the choices you have provided. Quality of life is a very controversial topic everywhere, but I believe that each and every person should be able to get the best quality of life. As nurses, what we should be doing is inform the people informed, about the consequences of their decisions and let nature take it's till. We should not actively interfere with their decisions in any manner, neither should we take sides; because no two persons are the same, nor can we possibly imagine what is going on in their lives. So the best thing to do is give them the right choices; and let them take their own decisions.