As a person facing the end of my life, I have the right to:
- Be treated as a living human being until I die.
- Live free of pain.
- Participate in the decisions that affect my quality of life and me.
- Have my decisions and choices respected and followed, even though they may be contrary to the wishes of others.
- Be treated with openness and honesty without deception or half-truths.
- Receive ongoing medical and nursing care even though the goals will be changed from cure to comfort.
- Express my feelings and emotions about my approaching death in my own way
- Maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing its focus may be.
- Be cared for by those who can maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing its focus may be.
- Discuss and enlarge my spiritual and religious experiences, regardless of what they mean to others.
- Be cared for by compassionate, sensitive, and knowledgeable people who will attempt to understand my needs and try to meet them.
- Receive support from and for my loved ones in learning how to accept my death.
- Die in peace and with dignity.
Further links for people nearing death:
Helping Yourself Live When You Are Dying