Jody Smith, a retired nurse with three adult children and numerous adult grandchildren, lives alone in a small rural area. Her income is limited. Two months ago, she fell and broke her left hip. After
Completely paralyzed on her left side, Mrs. Smith has decided that she no longer desires aggressive therapy and fre- quently asks the staff why she cannot die in peace. “The rehabili- tation is so painful and I’ll never walk again. What’s the use?”