Page 56 - issue
P. 56
Living Life
a terminally-ill patient is futile. A medical directive can make it
clear that hydration must be continued.
Finally, the halachic medical directive declares that the pa-
tient’s rav must be consulted as part of any important deci-
sions. Unless there is an absolute emergency, with no time to
contact anyone, no major treatment will be started or stopped
without first receiving halachic guidance. Putting this instruc-
tion in a directive as the official record of the patient’s wishes
DAVID J. COHEN ©WWW The halachic medical directive declares
that the patient’s rav must be consulted as
Private Investigator
part of any important decisions.
DJC Investigative Group Unless there is an absolute emergency,
with no time to contact anyone, no major
Licensed And Bonded - NY • Licensed - Maryland
treatment will be started or stopped
Specializing in Civil and without first receiving halachic guidance.
Criminal Investigations
Cell Phone: 917-301-0430
E-mail: djc@djcinvestigativegroup.com
www.djcinvestigativegroup.com
helps ensure that it is taken seriously.
But the second, less frequently considered, audience for a
medical directive is the person’s family. Anyone who has been
involved in caring for someone who is very ill can relate to
the sense that time slows down, and every decision takes on
magnified importance. The high levels of stress surrounding
the situation are amplified by the pressure of having to make
choices which could directly affect how long a loved one has
to live. And when several people are involved and they have
different opinions about what approach to take, it results in a
great deal of friction at a time when calm and peace are most
needed.
Spelling out our wishes as clearly as we can, and even sim-
ply designating one person to make those decisions, removes
a great deal of unnecessary pressure from an already difficult
situation. It can prevent the feelings of guilt that often linger as
48 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
a terminally-ill patient is futile. A medical directive can make it
clear that hydration must be continued.
Finally, the halachic medical directive declares that the pa-
tient’s rav must be consulted as part of any important deci-
sions. Unless there is an absolute emergency, with no time to
contact anyone, no major treatment will be started or stopped
without first receiving halachic guidance. Putting this instruc-
tion in a directive as the official record of the patient’s wishes
DAVID J. COHEN ©WWW The halachic medical directive declares
that the patient’s rav must be consulted as
Private Investigator
part of any important decisions.
DJC Investigative Group Unless there is an absolute emergency,
with no time to contact anyone, no major
Licensed And Bonded - NY • Licensed - Maryland
treatment will be started or stopped
Specializing in Civil and without first receiving halachic guidance.
Criminal Investigations
Cell Phone: 917-301-0430
E-mail: djc@djcinvestigativegroup.com
www.djcinvestigativegroup.com
helps ensure that it is taken seriously.
But the second, less frequently considered, audience for a
medical directive is the person’s family. Anyone who has been
involved in caring for someone who is very ill can relate to
the sense that time slows down, and every decision takes on
magnified importance. The high levels of stress surrounding
the situation are amplified by the pressure of having to make
choices which could directly affect how long a loved one has
to live. And when several people are involved and they have
different opinions about what approach to take, it results in a
great deal of friction at a time when calm and peace are most
needed.
Spelling out our wishes as clearly as we can, and even sim-
ply designating one person to make those decisions, removes
a great deal of unnecessary pressure from an already difficult
situation. It can prevent the feelings of guilt that often linger as
48 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
