Okay, to make a long as short as I can:
After a huge argument ten years ago, I stop speaking to my parents, and so does my sister.
Five years ago, parents get divorced and my mother goes off somewhere (none of us know where she is).
Three years ago, my father develops Huntington’s Disease, and goes into a nursing home/mental health thing, because he can’t look after himself. None of us (me, sister, or mother) knew he was in there, and had no control over his treatment or anything. When he first went in, he always told the staff he didn’t want any kind of feeding tube, ever (he had a thing about it).
Two weeks ago, he refused his meds. Twelve days ago, he stopped eating. Ten days ago, he died.
My sister handled it all, as she was the only one the staff could track down after he died, and she’ll barely discuss it with me. I don’t think she knows very much herself.
2007-11-28 07:41:27 · 9 answers · asked by Anna 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
So, what I want to know is, was it okay that the staff just let him die like that? Should they not have done something? Legally, was it okay for them just to let him die, even though he refused any treatment? Because he only refused it a few days before he died – I mean, he had Huntington’s, he probably wasn’t in his right mind.
Thanks very much for your time.
2007-11-28 07:42:10 · update #1
Shadowsthathunt and Wounded Duck, how dare you say that? I wasn't involved in his life because my parents threw me out when I was seventeen because I was pregnant. I didn't have a CHOICE to be part of his life. I just found out he died, and I'm pretty upset. But thanks so much for your compassion -- hell, why do I deserve it? I'm just some money hungry evil b*tch.
2007-11-28 08:04:03 · update #2
I can't believe that so many of you could be so absolutely heartless. Every Christmas for three years after they threw me out, I tried to get in touch with them and they didn't want anything to do with me, or my son. Thanks for making me feel even worse than I already do.
2007-11-28 08:08:04 · update #3
I'm sorry for your loss. I'm a little confused by the whole story, but it sounds to me like the staff did their job. Your father had the right to refuse medications or treatments, and no nurse or doctor has the right to "force" him to take them. That's just the way the medical system works. If he signed a DNR when he entered the facility, that seals the deal - they would legally not be able to resuscitate him when he stopped breathing. If someone has a DNR in place and staff DOES resuscitate, they run the risk of being sued, losing licensure, etc.
Also, Huntington's Disease is a very serious genetic disease that's passed from parent to child. If you and your siblings have not had any genetic testing done, you may want to consider it.
2007-11-28 07:59:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think it's legal -- he was consistent about not wanting a feeding tube, and it sounds like he had only stopped eating a couple of days before he died, so he probably did not die of starvation in any case. Some people make a "living will" while they are alive that specifies in writing what they want to happen if they are in your father's circumstances-- it is obviously a very good idea to do so in order to avoid having your relatives and friends question or feel guilty about your decisions. I would guess that he did not write it down, but if he was consistent in his wishes for three years of being in the place, then you should be pretty comfortable that the staff was doing what he wanted them to do.
2007-11-28 16:57:10 · answer #2 · answered by timewaster 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A lot of "it depends" here.
During his stay, he probably gave instructions to the institution about his treatment. May have been done when he first went in.
His Dr. at the place probably had instructions in the file also. If the Dr. had issued a DNR, then the home was just following orders.
Without more information, it is hard to say.
Sorry for your loss.
** Note: This is a general discussion of the subject matter of your question and not legal advice. Local laws or your particular situation may change the general rules. For a specific answer to your question you should consult legal counsel with whom you can discuss all the facts of your case. **
2007-11-28 15:48:11 · answer #3 · answered by scottclear 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If he was of sound mind, he has the right to refuse treatment. The hospital staff obviously thought he was of sound mind, in order for them to have listened to his directions.
I'm sorry to hear about what happened, but you should be thankful that he didn't suffer unnecessarily.
2007-11-28 16:07:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
This was your fathers decision. He made a medical choice on his own. If you were really concerned with his health, you should have been involved with his life. How can you ask if you should take legal action on someone you walked out on 10 years ago. To me... it sounds like you are money hungry.
2007-11-28 15:50:39 · answer #5 · answered by shadowsthathunt 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Let me guess, you wanted nothing to do with your father while he was alive. Now that he has died, you are looking to sue someone so you can make some money off of his death.
Let it go. They followed his wishes and don't owe you anything, not even an explanation.
2007-11-28 16:01:14 · answer #6 · answered by jonathan_kelly2001 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It was HIS right to die as he chose! You sure weren't in his life, why try to get involved in his death?
2007-11-28 15:52:38 · answer #7 · answered by Wounded Duck 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
my question would be - if you have not seen him for 10 years why do you care?
You did not care about him in life, so why would you in death?
2007-11-28 16:01:00 · answer #8 · answered by roadrunner426440 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
not only was it legal, it was pretty much required.
2007-11-28 15:47:53 · answer #9 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋