I agree with most everything said here. DNR does not mean do not treat. If my husband would have a broken leg, a tooth ache, a UTI or any other problem that caused him pain or discomfort, I would want it treated. However, should he be found in a situation where he is unresponsive and near death, I would want nothing done to prolong his life.
ehamilton, you are right DNR doesn't mean don't treat. It means don't take the electric paddles out and shock the heart back into beating and that is all it means.
As for the feeding tube, it won't come up at a point where our LOs can still say they are hungry. When our LOs stop eating it is because they also aren't awake most of the day and have no interest in food. In most cases they will take a sip of water at that point or one spoonful of pudding, but that is all. They are not hungry. They are not thirsty either.
During my husband's recent hospital stay he was checked out medically. It was understood that if they had found an infection it would be treated. But if his heart stopped they would let him go. I signed a DNR at the hospital.
It's not just paddles, though, Starling. It's CPR, too. My husband is at risk of dying of a longstanding chronic infection. If it flares up again, I am not required to treat that with antibiotics.
Mimi, who didn't know one died of AD. AD is listed as the primary cause of death on my late husband's death certificate. It most certainly IS a fatal disease. Were you talking with a medical professional?
If anyone else faces this challenge with anyone, insist to speak to their superior who will KNOW it is a fatal disease. Some die when the brain cannot tell the body to swallow or breathe. Others die when the plaque and tangles reach the central nervous system in the brain ... but in all cases, the primary cause of death was Alzheimer's. WE all know that, .. when will the medical world and all that work in it ..ever learn.
When my wife was in the hospital recently with pneumonia, I requested no antibiotics. The doctor and nurses agreed with this approach. She recovered without any problem.
Weejuin, Thanks for the tip on Texas OOHDNR form. I looked it up online and you can download the form. For other Texans here is the site: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/dnr.shtm
My husband is in an assisted living but in our small town it is almost a nursing home, I will process this form and give them a copy.