A Call for Dignified Endings: Reflections on the Gilland Case
Published by Age Well, Die Well · Monday 03 Mar 2025 · 1:30
As a geriatric nurse practitioner and end-of-life doula, I've witnessed harrowing suffering and beautiful, peaceful transitions. The difference lies not in diagnoses but in our willingness to embrace mortality as part of life's journey.
The Ellen Gilland tragedy reflects more than one woman's desperate act—it exposes the failures of a healthcare system that prioritizes prolonging life over honoring its natural conclusion. While her actions cannot be condoned, we must recognize the desperation that drove her to such extremes.
Our medical system excels at intervention but struggles with acceptance. We need honest conversations asking crucial questions: At what cost? For whose benefit? What does the patient truly want?
Patients who create Plans A, B, and C for their end-of-life journey reclaim agency when control seems to slip away. These discussions aren't about surrendering but defining what matters most when time becomes precious.
Early integration of hospice care and end-of-life doulas transforms the experience, bringing emotional, spiritual, and practical support that complements medical care.
Those facing the end of life deserve more than treatment protocols. They deserve holistic care addressing physical, emotional, and existential needs. They deserve transparent information, autonomy in their choices, and the dignity to remain fully human until their final breath.
We will genuinely honor each person's sacred journey by creating a culture that embraces death as part of life—not an enemy to be defeated at all costs.