Rose and James talked frankly about ageing and death long before either of them reached old age.
They both agreed that they did not want to be kept alive artificially and that they would like to refuse
treatment when they no longer had a good quality of life.
When James was relocated from home care into residential aged care, he specified his wish, which was
recorded on his file. His wife had medical power of attorney for him so that she could make decisions
about his treatment if he was not able.
After a period of time, his health worsened. He no longer knew his wife and suffered pain and
discomfort. He suffered many chest infections.
After one particularly bad chest infection, Rose spoke to James's doctor and said that she no longer
wanted his chest infections to be treated with antibiotics. The doctor knew James's wishes and agreed
that this was what he would have wanted.
His next chest infection was his last. He died peacefully and with dignity.
It has now been 3 days since James passed away. Rose comes to your workplace to gather the rest of
James's belongings and requests to see you as you were James's long-term support worker in their
home. You go to James's room, where she is packing up the last of his bits and pieces.
