Friday 16 November 2018

The ‘good death’ and reduced capacity: a literature review

Mortality; Nov 2018; vol. 23 (no. 4); p. 381-395
Read, Simon; MacBride-Stewart, Sara

This review explores the themes that contribute to a good death, specifically examining their applicability to those who lack mental capacity to make their own decisions. Largely the literature on a ‘good death’ builds on an underlying assumption that the dying patient is cognisant and capable of rationalising their death. The authors suggest that specific consideration is required on how to achieve a ‘good death’ for those with reduced capacity.