Patient’s Bill of Rights

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.