A Caregiver's Quandary: How am I to Evaluate and Respond to the Other's Suffering?

Abstract

When is it appropriate and when is it not appropriate for caregivers to intervene to ease the suffering of others? Suffering is not desirable in itself, but only as a means to some end. If the end (for example, spiritual growth or personal autonomy) is more desirable than the suffering associated with the means (for example, suffering arising from chronic physical pain) is undesirable, then intervention may not be appropriate. As a general rule, the person best located to make such an evaluation of means and ends is the suffering person. There are some exceptions to this rule. Sometimes someone other than the suffering person (for example, a caregiver) may be better located to decide that the suffering should not be ameliorated. However, in making such a decision, careful communication between caregivers and care recipients is necessary to avoid imposing one person's values and beliefs on another.

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