Death with Dignity

...is a total farce if you have your loved one emergency-transported to a healthcare facility that is religious-based.

My mom had a bad fall and broke her hip in several places last week. She was in severe pain and already knocking on death's door, along with dementia and malnutrition. We knew she wasn't going to survive this event. We inquired about Death with Dignity but were continually stonewalled because, get this... we had her taken to a facility that was run by the Franciscan healthcare system.

Religious-based healthcare facilities don't allow Death with Dignity. This isn't really a question, but a heads-up warning that this could impact your loved one's end of life decisions.

Mom fell this past Monday, and she died yesterday. Granted she had a fentanyl patch and was administered morphine as needed for the pain, but she didn't need to suffer the way she did those days in between. The pain meds just weren't enough.

Long story short: Research NOW where facilities allow Death with Dignity before you have to witness the hospital prolong your loved one's suffering because of some stupid religious belief system.

My mom died Saturday at 2:15am, May 28th. She is finally at peace, re-united with her loving husband who died in January 2009.