scholarly journals End-of-Life Decision-Making for People With Intellectual Disability From the Perspective of Nurses

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. A. Wagemans ◽  
H. M. J. van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk ◽  
I. M. Proot ◽  
J. Metsemakers ◽  
I. Tuffrey-Wijne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Decision ◽  
Life Decision

scholarly journals Withholding treatment and intellectual disability: Second survey on end-of-life decisions in Switzerland

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205031211665263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika T Wicki
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Residential Homes ◽  
End Of Life Decisions ◽  
Life Decisions ◽  
End Of Life Decision ◽  
Life Decision

Background: As people live longer, they are more likely to die over a prolonged period from incurable, chronic illnesses that occur more frequently in old age. Therefore, people will experience an increase in end-of-life discussions and decisions. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and nature of end-of-life decisions for people with disabilities in Swiss residential homes. Design: A cross-sectional survey in the three biggest German-speaking regions in Switzerland (N = 209) was conducted. Setting: All of the residential homes for adults with disabilities (N = 209) were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. The response quote was 76.7%. Directors provided information on 82 deaths. Chi-square and t-tests were used to study differences in prevalence and nature of end-of-life decisions between people with intellectual disability (ID) and people with other disabilities. Results: An end-of-life decision was taken in 53.7% of the cases (n = 44). For people with ID, the decision to withhold treatment had been taken more often (28.9%, 13 cases) than for people with other disabilities (8.1%, 3 cases) (χ2 (1, N = 82) = 5.58, p = 0.017). Conclusion: The study provides insight in end-of-life decision-making for people with disabilities in Switzerland. The results have implications on surrogate decision-making for people with ID living in residential homes. As the study partly confirms the results of previous studies, further studies will be necessary.

End-of-Life Decision-Making in Canada: The Report by the Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel on End-of-Life Decision-Making

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udo Schuklenk ◽  
Johannes J. M. van Delden ◽  
Jocelyn Downie ◽  
Sheila McLean ◽  
Ross Upshur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
End Of Life Decision ◽  
Life Decision

scholarly journals “What Would You Do?”: How Cat Owners Make End-of-Life Decisions and Implications for Veterinary-Client Interactions

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1114
Author(s):  
Katherine Littlewood ◽  
Ngaio Beausoleil ◽  
Kevin Stafford ◽  
Christine Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Future Research ◽  
End Of Life Decisions ◽  
Life Decisions ◽  
End Of Life Decision ◽  
Life Decision

Cats are the most common companion animals in New Zealand. Advances in veterinary care means that cats are living longer and there are many older cats. End-of-life decisions about cats are complicated by owner–cat relationships and other psychosocial factors. Our study explored the ways in which end-of-life decisions were being made by owners of older and chronically ill cats in New Zealand and the role of their veterinarian in the process. Qualitative data were gathered via retrospective semi-structured interviews with 14 cat owners using open-ended questions. Transcripts of these interviews were explored for themes using template analysis and nine themes were identified. Four were animal-centered themes: cat behavior change, pain was a bad sign, signs of ageing are not good, and the benefits of having other people see what owners often could not. Five were human-centered themes: veterinarians understanding owners’ relationships with their cat, normalizing death, the need for a good veterinarian to manage end of life, veterinary validation that owners were doing the right thing, and a strong desire to predict the time course and outcome for their cat. End-of-life decision making is complex, and the veterinarian’s role is often poorly defined. Our owners appreciated the expertise and validation that their veterinarian provided but continuity of care was important. Future research aimed at exploring the veterinarian’s perspective during end-of-life decision making for cats would be a valuable addition to the topic.

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