Topic > Euthanasia: Living Wills and Hospice Care - 1819

In today's modern era, euthanasia is a controversial topic, not only because there are various types of moral situations about it, but also because of what encompasses the its definitions. Euthanasia, which in Greek means "easy death" or "dying well", is the process by which a terminally ill patient is painlessly helped to die. This is also known as assisted suicide or mercy killing. When questions arise about the ethical aspects of euthanasia, living wills and hospice care play an essential role in clarifying these questions and providing explanations. A living will is a legal document that allows an individual to decide whether to continue, refuse, or discontinue life-prolonging medical or surgical procedures, as well as when to use or discontinue artificial nutrition and fluids. It allows you to express your desires. Hospice is a program that provides comfort and supportive care to terminally ill patients and their families. There are many misconceptions about hospice and what they do. In the Washington Post article, “Back Off! I'm not dead; I don't want a living will. Why shouldn't I?" Charlotte Allen talks about the living will as depicting death by giving consent to euthanasia. She linked this statement with a personal experience during a routine mammogram that revealed she had early-stage breast cancer Allen had to go to the hospital for treatment. Before a procedure, receptionists asked her if she had a living will. She also recalled her experience visiting her 93-year-old father dying of prostate cancer. a family friend called her and informed her that sooner or later her father would go into a coma, so she should think about placing him in a hospice where he will be subjected to morphine..