End of Life

Until Lord Jesus Christ's Second Coming, Christians need to consider the temporary resting place of themselves and their loved ones.

Below are some questions you might need to consider.

Who is the right person to serve as my health care agent?
1. Can I expect the person to be strong under difficult circumstances?
2. Can I talk with this person about concerns and intentions?
3. Will the person be available when necessary?
4. Will the person deal effectively and compassionately with family?
5. Will the person stand up family members?
6. Will the person be able to understand and communicate effectively with health care professionals?
7. Can the person serve as an advocate when necessary?
8. Is this person familiar with my values and beliefs?
9. Can the person separate his/her values from mine?
10. Where multiple persons may ne involved as agents, how will they work together>
  1. Can each person be trusted to act independently if necessary?
  2. How is the unavailability of an agent to be determined?
  3. How is the incapacity of an agent to be determined?
How do I feel about various types of living arrangements, health conditions and medical treatments?
How important is the sense of independence and self sufficiency?
What is the spectrum of medical issues I might face while being unable to make my own decision?
What types of living emanates are acceptable?
How much am I willing to depend on full medical treatment or inevitable should the cost to my family be a part of the decision making?
What role should my religious beliefs role in evaluating different treatments?
If this decision best left to my Health Care Agent
Should I draw a distinction between artificial nutrition and other forms of sustaining treatment?
Should my Advanced Directive be extended to cover other situations such as a coma?

The Lord may call us at any time. So planning is an important part of Orthodox living. Here is an article from the 2004 Orthodox Christian Journal "An Orthodox Christian Perspective The Living Will/Health-Care Proxy Interview with Fr. Thomas Hopko." Note that the information in the article is based on Pennsylvania law and Father Thomas Hopko, dean emeritus of St. Vladimir's Seminary. Thus you should consult your state's laws and your priest's wisdom before taking action.

Americans for Better Care of the Dying
Center for Practical Bioethics - a nonprofit ethics resource center dedicated to a health care delivery system anchored in respect for patients and their families and guided by ethical discourse. They publish the Caring Conversations Workbook.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) established in 1978, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is advocacy for the rights of terminally ill Americas. NHPCO is the largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to the promotion of hospice care in America. In addition to providing informational and educational materials to members, NHPCO provides information and referrals to the public.
The Medical Directive by Linda L. Emanual, MD and Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD. This is more medically-oriented advance directive includes six illness scanerios. For each scenario, you consider possible medical inventions and goals of medical care. It also includes a proxy designation form. Can be [urchased and downloaded from their website.
Five Wishes Advance Directive - publish by Aging with Dignity. This nationally used and very popular advance directive focuses on ways of talking about health care wishes and needs. Can be purchased and downloaded from their website. Also available by mail order from PO Box 1661, Tallahassee, FL 32302-1661 (tel. 850-681-2010).
Shape Your Health Care Future with Health Care Directives - Published jointly by the American Bar Association, the American Medical Association, and the AARP. Available for free on the ABA Commission Website.

The Colorado Bar Association has an online guide called Senior Law Handbook which has lots of helpful information including Estate Planning and What to do when someone dies.