Family perspective on the necessity for advance medical directives

Although our parents made no written advance medical directives before becoming terminally ill, with the support of the nursing staff we were able to assist them in their quest for a natural death with dignity. This article presents some of the dilemas faced by families in making end-of-life decisions. The author acknowledges the importance of permission for and support of the decision making by other health care providers, and reflects that advance directives would have facilitated the process.