Abstract:
This article approaches end of life care for elderly people from a care
ethics perspective. End of life care should not be confused with assisted
life ending approaches and support or euthanasia. End of life care refers
to care of people who are dying, immaterial of age or medical condition.
Vulnerability is not limited to elderly people (as care-receivers) only but
also to caregivers as a vulnerable group in own right.
Care ethics for healthcare is defined as creating a relationship between
caregiver and care-receiver (in this case the elderly person), recognising
their mutual vulnerability and potential power relationship within the
healthcare value chain, and carrying out the responsibility to care for and
protect life and its dignity in order to improve quality of life and health and
grow personal life orientations. Care ethics is influenced by a changing
relationship between caregiver and care receiver, ethical environment,
palliative care and social determinants.
Understanding and dealing with end of life care can never be removed
from the discussion on quality of life, dignity and human suffering that
adds no value to life. The Christian narrative is used to promote and
uphold the dignity and prolonging of life. To this may be added, care for
the dying. This narrative is built on God as the Creator of life, the duty to
care for life and the respect for life no matter the quality thereof.
