Recently, a friend of a friend decided to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED). It was not a matter of advanced disease, but rather a long life, ever-increasing disabilities, and ever-decreasing capabilities. Overall, it was an apparently positive experience except for a brief period at the very end, during which his wife reported that he seemed agitated (but not necessarily distressed – she was distressed, though). A detailed and positive account of a death from VSED is found at ~19:00 in the below YouTube video from Ashby Village.
Ashby Village – Charting your end-of-life journey (includes a comprehensive update on current medical, legal, and other issues)
Concurrently Jean and I have been working on issues related to aging and enjoying life, including staying in our home as long as possible and what to do when things go wrong, as they inevitably will. AARP and other sources have resources/ideas for structuring such planning. The exploration and documentation of issues and resources is a lengthy and detailed process!
Those we leave behind will appreciate the documented work done. Excerpts from what we’re working on:
“The money conversation”
Access to information
General – log-ins phone, computer, business, household, etc.
Money – bank, savings, investments account #s
Health – Advance Directives, Medical Power of Atty, health provider log-ins, medications taking with dosing and frequencies, other
Legal – wills, medical
Emergency Basics
Essential contacts
Important contacts
Alarm, keypads, extra keys
Medications, other important items location
Team
Who will do what such as open mail, pay bills
Local resources
Medical, caregiving providers
Funeral, related
Community groups
Things I need to do