AboutPaul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. Expertise I have a master's degree in bioethics which inlcudes medical and research ethics. In addition to a law degree, I have a doctorate of philosophy in comparative ethics involving medicine, law and business. I also am an Adjunct Professor at a medical school.
I can answer questions related to the ethics of withholding, instituting or withdrawal of life support.
Experience Experience in the area I have been a practicing trial attorney since 1989 plus I have a master's degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy regarding comparative ethics. I am also an Adjunct Professor at a medical school where I teach current providers and students medical ethics.
Organizations State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
District of Columbia Bar (inactive)
Federal Bar
Licensed in Arizona District Court
Licensed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Licensed in the United States Supreme Court American Bar Association National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Association for Justice
Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Kennedy Institute of Ethics National Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts 1985
Juris Doctorate 1989
Master of Arts in Bioethics 2004 Doctorate of Philosphy 2006
Awards and Honors Phi Beta Kappa
Multiple Who's Who
Publications A list of my copyrighted publications and presentations is contained at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
Question My grandmother is 84 years old. She fell and broke her pelvic bones as well as got a urinary tract infection. she is in the hospital right now. She has advanced altiehmers and could barely walk before she broke her bones. Right now, she is aspirating and not getiing all of her food down. this is affecting her lungs. My family has to decide if we give her a feeding tube in her stomach or let her aspirate till she gets pheuneumia and dies. The sad thing is that when my 2 aunts go to see her at the hospital, she takes their hands and brings them up to her mouth, to show she is hungry and wants food. My grandmother doesn't recognize anyone, not even my grandfather and she doesn't talk or laugh anymore. She has lost ton's of weight. And is hanging on only becuase my aunt takes care of her all day long, insead of putting her in a nursing home. We don't think she would have lasted this long if she had been in a nursing home. Could u tell me practically if she would be better off with dieing or with having a food tube in. my family wants what would be less painful for her.
Answer Bethany,
I cannot answer your question as no ethicist could answer it. The first thing that must be considered is whether your grandmother had a directive regarding her wishes as to nutrition and hydration or other life support measures. This type of directive is often referred to as a living will. The providers should look to your grandmother's wishes as their first priority in determining future care.
If your grandmother did not leave a directive, then the providers should look at her "substituted judgment". The family is the best source to let the providers know what they believe she would want to do if she was competent to make the decision. If the family is not certain, then the providers may utilize a standard called "best interests" to determine what should be done.
The question really is how would your grandmother have responded to this situation when she was competent to make the decision. If she would have wished to cease hydration and nutrition, then this may be something that the family should contemplate and share with the medical providers.
I suggest your family meet with an ethicist from the hospital to discuss the options and try to honor your grandmother's wishes as best as possible.
