Help clients plan for their final days

A growing number of Americans say doctors should do everything possible to keep a patient alive, no matter the medical circumstances, shows a Pew Research survey.

The survey indicates that while 66% say doctors should sometimes allow patients to die, 31% say doctors should always do everything they can to keep them alive in all circumstances. That’s higher than the 22% who said doctors should keep patients alive at all costs when Pew surveyed Americans in 2005.

Pew also asked how an individual would want his or her doctor to proceed if he or she had an incurable and painful disease. Of those surveyed, 57% said they would want their doctors to stop treatment so they could die, while 35% would want their doctors to do keep them alive.

If this happened to one of your clients, how would she pay for specialized treatments, home care and all the usual bills while incapacitated?

Read:

When cohabitation agreements are inadequate

The whole picture: Understanding the needs of aging clients

The great divides

Dementia to cost Canada $300B

Most seniors don’t want to live past 94

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.