EuthaNEWSia (www.euthanewsia.ca)

Tomorrow is World Elder Abuse Prevention Day. It's a day to appreciate that elders in our society endure abusive behavior every day and to consider how we might remedy this deplorable situation.

We hear of instances in which families, caregivers or others physically assault or verbally abuse elders in their care. Whether these instances arise from criminal pathology, frustration or plain meanness, we should all be on the lookout for such abusers, report them to authorities and encourage punishment.

Compassion & Choices focuses on other forms of abuse — the ones most commonly and even routinely — inflicted on elders. These forms are rarely recognized as abuse and are never punished. I'm talking about the pain, torture and invasion of bodily integrity from "heroic" and futile medical procedures associated with end-of-life care.

Later:
When institutions withhold vital information about medical practices like terminal sedation or aid in dying, which they deem immoral, and hold patients hostage to their own beliefs in the redemptive power of suffering, that is elder abuse, and abrogation of informed consent principles. Catholic facilities that enforce gag rules and bar conversations about legal aid in dying, even when a patient inquires, are doing just that in Oregon and Washington.

Coombs Lee concludes:
This year, let's acknowledge our national habit of over-treatment at the end of life for what it is: elder abuse, torture and a violation of human rights. Let's stop withholding information, ignoring wishes and inflicting elders with futile, painful treatment and unnecessary pain and suffering. And certainly, let's stop using Medicare taxes to pay for this national scandal.

[There are other related stories in the Links section below.]

To read the full article click on one of these links, both of which go to the same destination. A short link is provided for the convenience of readers. Also, readers may search and browse past and future advisories on the web (see bottom.)

Coombs Lee, Barbara. "Everyday Elder Abuse". Huffington Post. Posted: June 14, 2010 01:06 PM. <www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-coombs-lee/everyday-elder-abuse_b_611381.html>.

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The EuthaNEWSia ID for this advisory is: enid201006145432.
Mailed: Monday, June 14, 2010 14:15:36 -0600
at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

EuthaNEWSia is a free Canadian news advisory service covering end-of-life issues such as right to die, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. EuthaNEWSia is produced by the Right to Die Society of Canada which works toward a good death for all, including open, regulated and equitable access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The editor is Michael Dawson <editor@euthanewsia.ca>.

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