FOR GREGORY. He was not a VICTIM of ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, he was a HERO!

PLEASE NOTE: Even though this blog is now dormant there are many useful, insightful posts. Scroll back from the end or forward from the beginning. Also, check out my writer's blog. Periodically I will add posts here if they provide additional information about living well with Dementia / Alzheimer's Disease.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Thoughts on End of LIfe II

December 2014

To Lieberman Center Memory Care Facility Fifth Floor Nurses Office,

I am writing this letter to inform you of my directives in the care of Gregory L. Maire, my life partner/significant other for whom I hold Power of Attorney for Health Care matters.

It is difficult to know how detailed or how general to be but rather I will communicate the general idea of our desires and my medical decision motivations as discussed between Gregory and myself many years ago when he was capable of making such decisions for himself.

Gregory and I agreed that there would be no heroics, no recitation, no life prolonging activities administered. My desire is that Gregory be kept comfortable, vitals monitored, conditions reported to me if and as they change. Unnecessary trips to the emergency room would only serve to upset, agitate, and confuse Gregory and therefore should be avoided in most cases.

If a fall or physical injury takes place and the machinery and/or skills of an emergency room are necessary, for example setting a broken bone, stitching a cut, or insuring no neck injury took place, I will allow myself to make that decision in the affirmative after consulting with Lieberman nurses and doctors.

If events like a heart attack, stroke, seizure, Pneumonia, or other events in which death seems imminent, Gregory is to kept comfortable at Lieberman and be allowed to peacefully pass into his next life. I should be notified as soon as possible so I may be at his side to hold his hand and help comfort him.

Nursing staff and doctor recommendations will be carefully considered and respected but final decisions will remain with me, Michael A. Horvich, Gregory’s POA. In Gregory’s current state, the inevitability of death is a given and I would not want to inadvertently or ignorantly prolong his life.

In the event that my decisions create medical complications and/or death, I will not hold Lieberman medical or professional staff responsible.

Thank you for following these directives and for the wonderfully protective, helpful, creative way in which you have and continue to care for my beloved.

Fondly,


Michael A. Horvich, 

Power of Attorney for Gregory L. Maire

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