Surgeons Don’t Discuss Post Operative Options With Their Patients.

Surgeons don’t discuss options with their patients.

The survey’s results, published in the Annals of Surgery, found that more than four out of every five surgeons discussed which forms of life support the patients would like to limit. But only about one half specifically asked about the patient’s advance directive, which can include restricting the use of feeding tubes and ventilators to keep a person alive.

Wen it comes down to specifics, surgeons are reluctant to discuss directives which could greatly impact the care received if a surgery fails.

Patients could be kept alive against their will leaving families with crippling medical bills.

Living Wills a Touchy Subject for Baby Boomers

Baby boomers avoid making living wills because they feel too young and healthy.

Who can even think of writing a will between yoga class and triathlon training?

Kathy Brandt says wills and health care proxies are a good idea for everyone whether they are healthy and young or older and not so healthy.

Brandt, a senior vice president at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, said the two documents can spare families a painful fight and ensure that patients receive — or don’t receive — the medical treatment they wish should they end up in a situation where they can’t speak for themselves

Saving loved ones from making the tough decisions as we age could be the kindest gift of all at the end of our lives.

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