the dying person's bill of rights
I
have the right to be treated as a living human being until
I die.
I
have the right to maintain a sense of hopefulness, however
changing its focus may be & be cared for by those who
maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing this might
be.
I
have the right to express my feelings & emotions about
my approaching death in my own way.
I
have the right to participate in decisions concerning my care.
I
have the right to expect continuing medical & nursing
attention even though cure goals must be changed to comfort
goals.
I
have the right not to die alone unless I so wish.
I
have the right to be free from pain.
I
have the right to have my questions answered honestly.
I
have the right not to be deceived.
I
have the right to have help from & for my family in accepting
my death.
I
have the right to die with peace & dignity.
I
have the right to maintain my individuality & not be judged
for my decisions which may be contrary to the beliefs of theirs.
I
have the right to discuss & enlarge my religious &
or spiritual experiences, whatever these may mean, to others.
I
have the right to expect that the sanctity of the human body
will be respected after death.
I
have the right to be cared for by caring, sensitive, knowledgeable
people who will attempt to understand my needs & will
be able to gain some satisfaction in helping me face my death.
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Dying
is a universal fact of life and, whether or not it is accompanied
by disease, dying is a normal process. We believe that every
person is entitled to participate fully in this part of life
in order to prepare for death in a way that is personally satisfactory.
