is it right to keep old people alive?

Question

I'm not talking about all old people nor am i talking euphonasia.
what i'm saying is don't you think it's a bit cruel to keep pumping drugs into old people to keep them alive when their body and mind has failed, go into any OAP home in the land and you'll find at least 1 who can't move and is just put in a chair or left in bed to slowly die in misery.
again i'm not talking a logans run thing where everyone when at a certain age is killed, just when old age has got to em, just let them die with some dignaty rather than keeping them alive just so they can have another year of sitting in their own waste.

first thank you all for your answers, although i disagree with some you make good points. and one more time, i'm NOT talking about euphonasia as some of you suggest, what i'm saying is stop keeping them alive with drugs and allow them to die naturaly.

Answer 1

It isn't just 'old' people who can have bodies and minds that fail them, it can happen at any age. No matter what age a person is, they deserve to be well cared for. It is possible to have a 'do not resuscitate' order, which means that extradonary measures would not be used if the person stopped breathing or their heart stopped. Otherwise, medications can be used to give comfort as much as anything else. So, in most cases, I do think it's right to provide people with medications, nutrition, physical therapy, and other care. There is no excuse for someone to sit in their own waste....that isn't right....and shame on us that we let it happen. We must pay better attention to people who are unable to fend for themselves.

If you truly care about whether it is 'right' to keep people alive; be sure to discuss these things with your parents, spouse, and siblings......know what they want and tell them what you want. And then get it in writing: have a Health Care Power of Attorney and either a Living Will or an Advanced Health Care Directive. And maybe even an 'organ donor' card. Each state varies a bit, so check what you need in your state. And remember to keep them up to date.

Answer 2

I think that it depends on the person. Ive been working in a Nursing home for a long time now, and i can honestly say that some of them I wonder day to day, what they are thinking, are the comfortable, do they just want to end it all, but we will never know.

In most cases some of them don't know whats going on. They just know they are in a place where people take care of them, then again there are some that are aware but are still happy because they are on what we like to call " comfort care".

Alot of the people you find in homes or hospitals are so out of it or so far gone that is do sent matter either way, and some are just content knowing that their family comes to visit. It isn't our choice to say who lives and dies, dosent matter the age.

It really just comes down to the family and if they think its the right choice or not. And 9 times out of 10 the family knows best..

!**! Good Question by the way!!

Answer 3

This is a very good question which probably deserves a better answer than I can give it.
But how do you die with dignity what does that phrase mean?
Lots of people who support euthanasia( I accept that you don't) actually want to rid themselves of a problem.
Its the start of a very slippery slope, where do you stop with this type of solution. the same arguments used about old people are equally valid in the case of the disabled, the mentally ill, those in pain, simpletons. etc. etc.
Who decides the criteria. the point at which we place them on the death list ?
The procedures we use now are not perfect but the alternatives are dreadful. too dreadful to contemplate.

Answer 4

The other day, I read online the short news article about a
woman who was facing her demise from cancer. She chose
not to be put on morphine in her last days and have a struggle
perhaps. So since Oregon has a right to die with dignity law,
people who face death by a terminal illness, can plan their
day of death and make it more a celebration of life. And this
is what she did. She wanted to go out, seeing smiling faces,
not tearful ones later on. She ordered snack trays from the
grocery store, and sandwiches, and cold drinks. She invited
her closest of friends and family to witness her last hours
while enjoying a reunion of sorts. She ordered the poison
cocktail which was poured into a nice wine goblet, and she
went out and had her last cigarette. When she returned, she
got into bed and urged her friends and family to come by and
pay their last respects. There was laughing and joking and
according to the reporter, there was no sadness in the room.
After speaking to everyone individually, she sipped her
cocktail and closed her eyes. It took her five hours to die,
as everyone remained in the room. She left with a smile on
her face, and in no pain. She was alert and her faculties
in tact. She utilized a law that let her be in control of how
she wanted to die. And she was happy to the end, according
to the report. Perhaps other states will find the success of
this Oregon law and will want it for their states as well. It may
not be for everyone, but it can be the answer for someone.

Answer 5

I think the time comes when not to stand in the way of nature is correct and moral. I do mean feed and water I do mean keep out of pain and comfortable, but not kill just let them go. many old people are happy for that. I think the other ways are evil immoral inhumane and cause much suffering. I refer to no food or water which I am told is often the method and must cause much distress.
Euthanasia is practised in certain countries with
"safeguards" which means that many are persuaded by the authorities to accept it. The persuasion can take many forms.

Answer 6

This question has sparked a real nice debate. And both sides have real good points.
I give you the Brass Monkey (his gonads) award for posting it too!
Death is a rather touchy subject to bring up to folks that are nearing their final dance, as most of us are on this site.
I can only say that I speck for myself only: When I get to the point that I know what is around the next bend, like getting the hint my body is giving out as is my mind, I'll take one last hike & leave my little Geeps (corgi) at home.
Love the smell of mulch & I'll just become a part of it as I watch the sun set.

Answer 7

It is not just the old. There are a lot of young couples with children that cannot afford healthcare. We know a lot of women who have cancer and who need the help in order to live. Some have children that will be left without a mother or a father. I think that greediness, as the Bible says, clouds the mind of the ones who do not worship God. They may say they do but in reality they do not even believe He exists. They really think there are going to be no consequences.

Answer 8

I work in an old peoples home and I understand what you are saying, but where do you draw the line?
Its a fact that keeping frail old people alive takes a lot of time, effort and money. With an ageing population I think it will become an even bigger problem in the future

Answer 9

From reading and listening to discussions on this subject it appears that people would like to allow a person to die rather than give them medication to keep them alive. Because a person is unaware of their surroundings does not necessarily mean that they are suffering. Indeed the medication that they are receiving is aimed at relieving their pain and discomfort. Often the dosages necessary to alleviate their pain contributes to their death. It is the witnesses to this process who are affected and are relieved when the person eventually dies. Could it be that what we seek when we advocate not prolonging life is the desire to spare ourselves the ordeal of anxiety or distress at what we see in the decrepitude which befalls some people in old age.

Answer 10

I don't think anyone would choose to live like this
but until euthanasia is legal what choice is there.
You should be able to make a living will to let everyone
know your feelings about assisted death, say in your 40's when sound of mind and body. Then no one can be accused of pushing
them into it. It would be their own free will.
Death with dignity everytime for me please.

Just read in the Daily Mail about a "Nurse" who stuffed
an apron in mouth of a 99year old in a care home because she was too noisy.
I think she would vote to die don't you?