Get Ready To Pay $60,000 Per Annum For Relative's Long Term Care.

[mnhtnbb]

60. You are absolutely right. My dad had a health care directive

which included his right to not be fed by artificial means.

I had been to visit him in the nursing home--and help him eat lunch-- and told him we were going away for the weekend and that I'd be back to see him on Monday. Late Saturday morning in our hotel room I got a call saying that my father had stopped eating (Friday night) and was refusing all food. They
wanted to put in a feeding tube. I told them absolutely not. He had made his choice. He was in a coma within hours. I flew back as planned.
Went to see him Monday and sat reading to him. Went Tuesday and sat reading to him for hours. Went home--to fix dinner for kids--and planned
to go back after picking my husband up at the airport who had stayed in Chicago for a conference. After dinner, I thought, I should go see him before
I pick up my husband, but I was just too tired. About 8 pm the phone rang and the nursing home told me he had awakened and to come quickly. He died
while I was on my way over there--20 minutes away. I still--15 years later--think about how I should have listened to my gut to drive over there right
after dinner.

But you are right. Too many family members can't let go.