Wanting to die

[catholicemom]

My father is 70 years old and does not take care of himself. Over the years of mistreatment of his body, he has diabetes, heart problems and depression. He is on tons of medications and now is refusing to take his medicines and does not want us to call the doctor or hospital. He is just waiting to die but I don’t think this will directly cause him to die. Not taking care of his medical problems will result in major medical problems and probably death. Is this a form of suicide or euthanasia from the patient or do they have the right to not accept medical treatment. We are worried that the state of his soul is at risk because of his attitude of lack of respect for his body and now wanting to give up with keeping up with all the medicines. Should we intervene and go against his wishes and admit him to the hospital or let his body slowly deteriorate?

 

[ChibiViolet]

It sounds like it could very well be a form of suicide. You should talk to a priest about this.

 

[chococat]

Praying for you and your father. I can understand your dilemma. Ive worked in a nursing home for 38 yrs and have seen many waiting and wanting to die and it isnt pleasant for them or their families and there is nothing they can do but feel helpless and pray for God to call them home. I agree, you should talk to a priest to give you his advice.
God bless

 

[triumphguy]

Sounds like he is depressed.

Prayers said tonight.

 

[catholicemom]

We have been praying for him. We tried to get him to counseling, see a spiritual director, and physical therapy but he finds excuses and maybe will do it once or twice and says it doesn’t work. I think now we need to decide if we should force him to do this? I am struggling also with my mom because she wants to let him be and die and in peace too. But a lot of this is him wanting to die and almost giving up or not doing these things because he doesn’t like it.

Sounds like he is depressed.

Prayers said tonight.

 

[fred_conty]

A hospital chaplin would have seen this type of situation before and he may have some good suggestions for you. I think he would be in a better position to do this than a parish priest.

Old age is a blessing because it gives us a last chance to make up for some of our mistakes in life.

God looks with mercy on the old, and their prayers and sufferings offered for themselves and others go a
long way to winning God’s goodness and blessings.

One of the things you might try is for several of you to gather around his bedside and pray the litny of the saints, or the rosary. These prayers have a very soothing effect on people and lifts up their spirits. If you feel up to it, you might try singing a hymn of Mary because her hymns are also very beautiful and flowing.

Give him a miraculous medal to wear or a green scapular. A religious store would have these. Many graces are promised by Mary for those who trust her to pray for them.

Try reading one of the stories of Jesus in the New Testament in a soft voice.

Be sure to help him to understand that he can do much good by his faith and prayers for himself and his family and that you are counting on him.

All the best to you and your father and I will pray over it.

 

[andrewstx]

I can very well understand the feelings of this man, he is tired and his fatigue is excerbated by the clinical depression he has.

Please note: clinical depression is a physical affliction, it is no less a disease than any other illness. It takes therapy and medication to care for it exactly like any other disease.

Often individuals become so depressed that they give up.

I was told by a Franciscan Superior that there are two types of suicide, direct and indirect.
Deliberately choosing to kill yourself with full mental capacity is direct suicide and a mortal sin. Indirect suicide like smoking until you have cancer is indirect suicide and not mortally sinful. If your father is so depressed that he has given up, I don’t think be has full mental capacity.

In a way I can commiserate with him. I had a bad stroke a few years ago despite taking my hypertension meds.

I cannot walk without a bad limp, I can’t drive, and depend on others for my dressing and
hygiene.

But with faith in God and the Theotokos, I will never give up.

But things can be awfully trying at times.