Two cogent arguments about end-of-life care—and carefully reasoned responses from experts

End-of-Life Care: Bridging Disability and Aging with Person Centered Care features two primary papers on the controversial issue of end-of-life care within the disabled and aging populations. Each paper explains—clearly and honestly—the multitude of issues involved in using person centered care. The first is from a father and nationally known advocate for the disabled—Rud Turnbull—speaking from a disability perspective about his disabled son. The second is from respected theologian M. J. Iozzio speaking from the aging perspective about her father's Alzheimer's disease. Responses from experts in the field follow, thoughtfully raising further points to consider about policies, ethics, quality of life, and consent.

The two central papers from End-of-Life Care focus on person centered, interdependent care using the personal reflections of two close family members and their views about end-of-life care. The responses that follow each are direct, thoughtful, and concentrate on the issues in end-of-life planning using person centered care. This difficult and important issue is discussed in detail by lawyers, theologians, clinical practitioners, and professional service providers, and includes several revealing personal stories about end-of-life experiences. Helpful resources for both policy and practice are also presented to assist the reader to learn more.

End-of-Life Care discusses:

• who, how, and on what grounds end-of-life decisions should be made for the developmentally/intellectually disabled
  
• best practices information from Volunteers of America’s Last Passages project
  
• the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families when confronting issues of death and dying
  
• the protection of the rights of the disabled from discrimination
  
• person centered care for the aging with complicating health conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease
  
• helping all people to clearly communicate their end-of-life wishes
  
  

End-of-Life Care explores explores policy, theological, and personal dimensions of end of life care, and the ways that person centered care can bridge the fields of aging and disabilty.