Coronavirus Helps Us Face Ourselves ~ & Our Own Mortality

The dramatic changes visited upon us by the coronavirus this year, have such far-reaching effects – we cannot even begin to fathom what is to follow.

We are getting daily updates through news feeds giving instructions on self-isolating, social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing, introduction of new laws to ensure compliance, and sweeping changes to lifestyles all over the world.

Most of us have not seen anything like this in our own lifetimes. Only those who have memories or anecdotal family stories around the Spanish flu of 1918, can share the sense of fear and sadness as one funeral procession after another crawled down the empty streets.

We do not like the constant reminder of our own mortality. It is a topic that can usually be avoided, with the exception of those who are in the unfortunate position of deciding to turn off ventilators and let people die. Every family must eventually face the loss of a loved one, yet until it happens, most people do not know what to expect.

Other than wills and life insurance, we don’t give much thought to DNR (do not resuscitate) orders when we are young and able bodied. Even for an aging population, medical language with unfamiliar terms, is difficult to follow. We are inclined to expect doctors or caregivers to have standards and follow them. Doctors often end up relying on family members to find out what the dying person would want. In some cases, there are differences and conflicts that arise between family members surrounding end of life decisions. It is better for the individual facing death, to discuss and document these plans ahead of time.

In the past, when long term care patients became acutely ill, they were transferred to an acute care hospital by ambulance. Once seen and assessed in the ER, they would either be admitted, or treated and sent home. Now with the coronavirus being spread throughout LTC facilities, we have to ask how prudent it is to be transferring long term care patients to acute care. However, we cannot lose sight of the fact that under the Canada Health Act, all people are supposed to have equal access to acute care hospitals.

This means that the burden of responsibility is on the cognitively intact elderly population, to make it clear what kind of directives to follow if there is serious and life-threatening illness to contend with. In addition to the basic DNR orders and forms, surely this is the time to learn about and set up Advanced Care Directives that suit our own values and wishes for end of life care. Some people refer to these plans as Living Wills.

In addition to permitting people to have some control over end of life decisions, it makes it easier for family members and the health care system to make decisions about care. In addition, perhaps one of the most important aspects of this pandemic is to find ways to selflessly help reduce burden on front line health care workers.

One of the biggest hurdles for people when it comes to creating Advanced Care Plans is addressing the questions and broader perspectives surrounding the whole topic of death and dying, due to fear and avoidance. The other barrier is a lack of familiarity with medical terms and procedures. Then there are the legalities surrounding the creation of such a document, how and where it will be filed so it is accessible to the system when needed.

Although I do have my own beliefs about end of life care for myself, I understand my own beliefs are highly individual. From a very basic and fundamental perspective, I believe in upholding human rights, individual choice, and autonomy in all facets of life.

Adversity holds a seed of an equal or greater benefit. Our awareness, along with time spent at home to reflect – gives us an opportunity to create a plan, discuss it with family members and put it in place. Planning helps us feel like we have some control, when things seem to be spiralling out of control.

It looks like there are some massive changes underway in health care, with more dramatic changes on the horizon. I hope those plans include a registry for Advanced Care Plans, along with guidelines on how to create and file them.

Copyright Valerie J. Hayes and Quiet West Vintage (2020). Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Valerie J. Hayes and Quiet West Vintage with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.