Living Will Reflection, Essay Example

Long-term and emergency healthcare needs are challenging to address because they are highly personal and often signal a dramatic shift in quality of life that is difficult to consider, particularly in the younger years. For example, if my life was at risk and I required mechanical and other procedures required to remain alive, I would not prefer this alternative. At this stage, I believe that mechanical and other artificial procedures are unnatural and are not meant to be part of the human experience. My family members would not be willing to accept this fate because they would further advance the belief that I would no longer be in a recognizable state. One example is if I experienced a loss of oxygen for a period of time, was unconscious, and require artificial respiration to survive.

At the same time, I believe that organ and tissue donation after death is a positive opportunity to give back and to help others who might experience a greater chance of survival. In addition, I organ and tissue donations for research purposes is very important to guide scientists and clinicians in the study of disease and the human condition for those who survive. I also believe that autopsies are essential in cases where the cause of death is unclear or suspicious, and a definitive determination must be made. Personally, I would consent to organ donation and after death, it would be possible to provide an organ to another individual who is in desperate need of a transplant to stay alive.

Finally, I have mixed feelings regarding long-term nursing care because it is difficult to watch patients continue to decline in these settings when their quality of life is poor. My own experiences with long-term care with older family members are unpleasant, and I recognize that the expense of long-term care is another matter and should be part of any decisions that are made, particularly if no other options are available. For example, my family members would need to discuss these options if I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, or other illnesses where the diagnosis may be terminal and home care is no longer an option. These issues are difficult to discuss, particularly in a healthy state, but they are essential and must be considered as part of the decision-making process.