My former father-in-law is in bad health.

They put him on hospice care. No life support.

He had a pace maker put in about ten years ago. They recently tested his pace maker to see if it was working.

When they turned it off temporarily, he flat lined until they turned it on again.

He already is on life support with his pace maker.

Is it ethical to force a person to stay alive when their body will not sustain itself?

Remember, he has very poor quality of life. He leaves his home maybe three times a year and can barely walk to the bathroom.

does quality of life weigh in on your decision?



I am not seeking advice or support. Just interested in what people think about this.

are you asking about ethics or morals

Ahh, dude... my heart bleeds.
But on topic... I'll move off topic.
What's it matter?

How do you feel?

Ooops,

Didn't think about that.

I am not asking for advice. It really is just an interesting moral question.

What is right in a situation like this?

Forget about the fact that I know him.

Sometimes what's moral and right is a matter of personal belief, spiritual or otherwise. How you feel DOES equate to if it's moral in your mind in this case and in my opinion.
But you know what they say about opinions...

I believe it is morally acceptable to withhold life saving measurements if that's what the person wants or said they would have wanted. But, I don't think it's okay to withhold food or water and let them die of starvation.

A pacemaker would be extraordinary measures and if their quality of life was very poor and I knew they wouldn't object, I would stop it.

Hey, Ted! Good to see you!

You forgot?

haha, What a goddess...
Hiya, Ruth!

I think it is most about HIS wishes.
Expresed or not.

If someone had told me they had no
desire whatsoever to be kept alive,
especially age-related, I would honor
their wishes.

If they had expressed, to me, the
opposite, then I would honor that
also, and fight to do so.

Ethically, settng a standard for that
would be ever so difficult.

I forgot to point out in the OP that I was not asking for advice. Just interested in what people would think in this situation.

Because the life saving measures have been occurring for some time but no one knew it.

Ahh, forgive my intrusion then... I thought you cared about him.

What's right is to let him make the choice as long as he wants to live as long as he can then so be it.

But once Hospice is brought in it is the end of the road and only a matter of time.

I think it is up to the individual to decide if they want to live as long as they can... when it comes to the point they can not then the family should have already discussed it with them.

I do care about him. But I know he is dying and I still am unsure what I would do here. But I am not struggling over this decision. I have no say in what they do and no one would listen to me anyway.

He is the only one on my ex's side that I really liked.

When he does die, I will be sad but glad he isn't suffering anymore.

Death is part of life. And I have already experienced a very similar situation with my own dad. It was a relief when he did die and everyone was glad he was no longer suffering and still sad he wasn't with us.

I am assuming he is awake and lucid for the most part. So, the decision is entirely his. You can't really judge another's quality of life in this situation. He may prefer the life he has now to death.

As a healthcare worker I see this situation all the time. As morbid as it is..My family knows my wishes and I know theirs. I wish more people would discuss it before emotions get in the way of actions

With $5 and 15 minutes you can be sure your wishes will be carried out should you find yourself in a situation where you cannot express your desires.

I got this free from my doctor, but you can get it online for $5.

http://www.agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes.php

Edit: I take that back. You can actually complete it online and print it out for free.

He has moments where he has a clear head. But a lot of the time, he is confused about what is happening. At least that is what I'm told. I don't see the confusion when I see him. But I don't see him much anymore.

What about his feelings on his own life? Does he want to keep living?

Humble advice...
Get your azz back to the hospital and hold the hand of dying man.
What he may or may not prefer is virtually irrelevant.
What counts is the love he gets in those final moments... you've the power to give. Get it?

Leave the ???? to philosopher's... be an ordinary man, show love... feel love.

I've seen death more than you I think... tis all I would want on a death-bed..
js.

Sorry for my bluntness...