My mom is failing – pancreatic cancer. I’m struggling with the balance between her desires and her safety. I firmly believe in Empowered, Equipped, Engaged, Enabled individuals on the health journey: e-patients as described by the Society for Participatory Medicine. I also believe in Using Power Honestly, Wisely, and Respectfully as written in the Advocates Way of Advocates, Inc.
So when my mom says she doesn’t need help, yet I see that she’s unsteady, has had several near misses – almost falling, wants to stay in her home, and has varying degrees of self-awareness, mental abilities, I’m concerned about her safety and ability to make a safe decision. Thankfully, we avoided disaster, after coordinating with several people to be with her and offer the same feedback: You need 24/7 help. In a period of clarity she agreed and now feels relieved.
This tension between rights, dignity, and safety repeats itself everywhere. I experienced it as a parent, as a nurse, as a patient myself, and as a caregiver. I didn’t let my grandson run across the street, rather holding his hand and instructed him in good crossing habits. For ourselves and those with whom we share the health journey, we can acknowledge the tension with mindfulness and respect and get help maintaining that balance.
