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By Paul W. Snamiska, Program Administrator, Christian Life Resources
Source: Clearly Caring Magazine, Jan/Feb 2006, Vol. 26, No. 1
Q: Is hospice good or bad? I’ve heard that it is actually a part of the euthanasia movement. A: This topic has come up before and leads to a variety of emotions. To give a concise answer, hospice can serve a valuable role and is not necessarily connected to the euthanasia movement. There is, however, more to the issue. Hospice care is meant to provide palliative, or comfort, care to patients who are terminally ill and expected to live less than six months. The primary intent of hospice care is to make patients comfortable by providing for their physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs. In this regard, hospice can be a wonderful option for families. We have heard from hospice care workers who give excellent reports of appropriate care while others tell us that their facilities promote a philosophy that is more in line with right-to-die groups. Any hospice that works to intentionally take a human life by either active or passive means is in violation of God’s commands (Exodus 20:13; 1 John 3:17-18). So, the best conclusion to make is that, although hospice care is not part of any formal euthanasia movement, a word of caution is in order before placing a loved one into a hospice program. If the hospice shares your Christian values then it can be a positive choice. If the administration does not share your Christian values regarding life, seek a different hospice option.
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