‘Being Mortal ’ is a book written by an American physician about confronting aging and death. It primarily explores how to make choices from the perspectives of doctors, patients, and their families when aging and death are inevitable and medical capabilities are limited.
Current medical capabilities can only delay aging and postpone death, often at a tremendous cost. Treatments like surgeries and medications not only consume vast financial resources but also subject patients to physical and mental suffering and side effects. Simultaneously, family members must invest significant time and energy to support the treatment. Sometimes this cost is justified. Other times, especially when patients are elderly or diseases lack effective treatments, whether such immense sacrifices are worthwhile requires collective discussion and reflection.
As people age, bodily functions gradually decline, limiting life choices. Participation in certain activities becomes impossible, and eventually, maintaining normal daily life proves difficult, shrinking one's sphere of activity. Most elderly face only a few options: nursing homes, independent living at home, or residing with family. The primary issue with most nursing homes isn't inadequate facilities but a lack of freedom and choice, creating an environment reminiscent of a prison, which is why many seniors are reluctant to enter them. Living with family or alone presents challenges like managing illnesses and daily living difficulties. The U.S. is experimenting with retirement communities that preserve seniors' freedom while providing essential medical support and care. China's aging population is already evident, yet investment in elderly care remains severely inadequate. Only a wealthy few may have access to dignified retirement options.
When confronting untreatable or high-risk illnesses, doctors, patients, and families often disagree. Frequently, doctors or family members dominate decisions, pursuing treatment at any cost while the patient's wishes are ignored, leading to immense suffering during treatment. This situation actually requires thorough communication among doctors, patients, and families to understand the patient's highest priorities, give them genuine choice, and allow them to live with dignity until the end—rather than dying in agony.
This topic is profoundly heavy, and most people prefer not to confront it. Regardless, everyone will eventually face aging and death. Engaging in advance communication and reflection—understanding what truly matters to you—enables better choices. Each choice you make shapes your authentic life.