Covid-19 and intensive care
The current coronavirus epidemic is putting hospitals under severe pressure and is leading to a substantial number of deaths. This is an occasion to consider making (if you have not…
Feature post
Endorsement from GPs
We recently received these endorsements of our website from two GPs who were seeking information on how to advise their patients about advance planning for end of life care: I…
GPs must pass on patient’s advance decisions to hospitals
The British Medical Journal of 29 March 2019 reported the outcome of a case in which the High Court judge told GPs that if they have in their files an…
Conversations: the reality of promoting Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment
My feisty mother died in her 90th year. She entertained 15 family members to dinner on Friday night and on Saturday suffered a stroke. My brother and I were clear…
Truth in dementia care
There is a substantial article by Larissa MacFarquhar in the New Yorker magazine of 8 October 2018 about a US residential community for people with dementia that is designed to…
New knowledge
Andrew, a retired industrialist was referred to me via his GP. He expressed an interest in planning for his advancing years. While chatting he explained that his 92 year old…
Endorsement from a solicitor
A member of the My Living Will team was invited by Age UK Camden to participate in a day devoted to ‘Will writing’. Two solicitors had volunteered to give up…
Making an Advance Decision
A retired medical colleague called me up when he heard about the MyLivingWill website. Philip, now aged 83, lived on his own and had been diagnosed with early vascular dementia.…
Understanding Advance Decisions
I was invited to talk to an elderly couple as she had noticed that her memory was failing her. Claudia, an outgoing friendly 78 year old, was well supported by…
Woman kept alive despite her advance directive wishes
This story from the BBC which demonstrates the importance of both making a living will and making it readily available to staff caring for patients: The family of an 81-year-old…