Research summary Ethics and End-Of-Life Care for Persons with Disabilities
In Canada there are a number of names for mechanisms that have been put in place to assist people who are thinking about end of life transitions, their families and caregivers anticipate the future, begin discussion and make decisions early on in their trajectory toward death. These are used to carry out specific requests regarding the provision or withdrawal of medical services as a person’s life draws to an end. 51
The preparation of an advance care directive can make discussions between people and their family easier, and provide guidance and support for substitute decision-makers who must make difficult decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment. If loved ones and medical professionals have engaged in a process of serious communication early on, the problems associated with the interpretation and application of advance directives are less likely to arise.52
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