Sunday, March 25, 2018

A Good Life To The End - Ken Hillman

Ken Hillman a Intensive Care Specialist Dr working at a large Australian hospital. In this book, he talks about aging and how modern medicine fails many of our elderly family members. As we age and become more frail, Drs may still insist on continuing treatments and offering surgery that may not help patients. Many elderly do not want a hospitalized end to their lives, but rather would have help to live well at home as long as they are able, rather than undergoing unnecessary and painful tests and procedures.

I am not sure that the book has all the answers, but is maybe a good read for raising discussion with family and doctors about what options we should consider as we age. 4/5

2 comments:

sallyhicks said...

I was recently told at home by a young dr and nurse who I didn’t know but said I should go into hospital for 6 weeks before perhaps a procedure. I said no I will stay at home and I still don’t know why they said that. I am comfortable and happy at home and they didn’t understand why I said I needed to have my garden watered. Six weeks and my garden would have died. I am happy to wait at home before I go in for a procedure.

John Bellen said...

Doctors still haven't learned enough to understand the power of home and familiar surroundings.