60 Minutes tonight - The Cost of Dying

[otohara]

The last two months of life cost Medicare $50 billion last year

(CBS) One of the biggest problems in health care is that many Americans are "dying badly," says Dr. Ira Byock. He says many Americans spend their last days in an intensive care unit, relying on uncomfortable machines or surgeries to prolong their lives a few more days or weeks at enormous cost.

Byock is interviewed in a Steve Kroft story about the cost of dying in America to be broadcast on "60 Minutes" this Sunday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Eighteen to 20 percent of Americans spend their last days in an ICU, says Byock, who heads the palliative care program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. He says many people are not aware there are alternatives to such expensive and prolonged death.

"Families cannot imagine there could be anything worse than their loved one dying. But in fact, there are things worse," Byock tells Kroft. "Most generally, it's having someone you love die badly-dying, suffering, dying connected to machines."

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

The Cost of Dying
Patients' Last Two Months of Life Cost Medicare $50 Billion Last Year

[spinbaby]

1. Thanks

Plan to tune in after this game is over.

[spinbaby]

2. Duplicate

Mouse spasm.

[malaise]

3. That's why I believe in a living will

There will be no machines keeping me going when it is obvious that I am dying.

[Warpy]

4. My parents had their wishes dinned into me from childhood.

Still, letting go when the time came was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I wanted them to live forever, even though I didn't want them living in bodies that were nothing but pain.

A living will is good to have, but there is a grey area when a family member turns up who doesn't want it honored. A durable power of attorney for medical reasons is better, assigning one person to make sure your wishes are carried out.

[malaise]

5. My brother was that person

but we showed him her signed living will and told him nicely to STFU and let her die in peace. He calmed down quickly outnumbered by the sisters. :D

[ddeclue]

6. You'll pardon me if I choose to hang on for those last two months when the time comes..

not that it's right now but...

[spinbaby]

7. That's your choice

Although I believe many dying people get treatment they don't need or want.

[mucifer]

8. I'm a hospice nurse. Dying at home usually is more comfortable for everyone.

One problem is that medicare will pay for nursing homes but not around the clock caregivers. Hospice can only cover caregivers 24/7
if symptoms are out of control. So lots of people who don't want to die in nursing homes do.