The confluence of pain, bedfastness, constipation, and social isolation yielded a loss of interest and joy in life. The patient required assistance with almost every aspect of daily life, including eating. As the illness progressed, she prayed at night that God would “take her.” Each morning, she spoke of disappointment upon reawakening. She overtly expressed her lack of desire to live to her family. Medical interventions were increasingly ineffective.
After repeated family and physician discussions had focused on her death wishes, one adult daughter recommended her mother stop eating and drinking; her food intake was already minimal. Although she did not endorse this plan verbally, the patient’s oral intake significantly diminished. Within 2 weeks, her physical state had declined, and she died one night during sleep.
Adequate hydration is stressed in physician education and practice. A conventional expectation to normalize fluid balance is important to restore health and improve well-being. In addition to being good medical practice, it can also show patients (and their families) that we care about their well-being.1-3
Treating dehydration in individuals with terminal illness is controversial from both medical and ethical standpoints. While the natural tendency of physicians is to restore full hydration to their patients, in select cases of imminent death, being fully hydrated may prolong discomfort.1,2 Emphasis in this population should be consistently placed on improving comfort care and quality of life, rather than prolonging life or delaying death.3-5
Continue to: A multifactorial, patient-based decision