Aging, Death & Dying

Since the end of the 1960’s, people warned that if a society could kill the weakest, most vulnerable, and innocent member of our society, the pre-born child in the womb, then it wouldn’t be long before the disabled, ill and aged would be killed as a benefit for the same society.

In addition, terms used around the issue of euthanasia are confusing, and people who sign papers for end-of-life care often don’t understand what the wording means.

It is important to be clear about “intent” to understand when good medical care slides into killing.  Good medical and pro-life treatment of a dying person does include pain control medication, even if it hastens death, but not to the extent that it’s given with the intent to kill the person.

This page includes some sites to visit and learn about living wills, nutrition and hydration rules that are very important to know about before signing something you shouldn’t, and also information about artificial feeding and Advance Directives.

We encourage you to read the Pro-Life Alternatives to Living Wills and make out the Advance Directive.  Note what they say in the Physicians for Life site:

There are 3 different pro-life advance directives available.

In contrast to most “Living Wills", all 3 pro-life alternatives state that food and water are to be provided (by feeding tube if necessary) unless death is imminent and the person’s body is unable to assimilate nourishment at that point.

(There is nothing to fear about a feeding tube; it is a simple device that has been in use for more than 100 years. The liquid food, such as Ensure, is common and inexpensive…

No one wants a feeding tube, just as no one wants dentures, but if you are hungry, you would probably gratefully accept aid in receiving food. Sometimes a feeding tube is inserted, not because the patient can’t swallow, but because it is more convenient for the caregivers than feeding by mouth.)