Respirator for dying patient

[meha...@aol.com]

This question arose in the last few days. 93 year old female patient,
fully active until a fall and fractures in summer 05, since then
sometimes disoriented and deteriorating. Hospitalized a week ago
against the advice of primary care physician (a gerontologist who made
a house call and diagnosed normal shutting down of bodily functions,
part of the dying process) found to be slightly dehydrated and
malnourished, but no sign of infection, or other life-threatening
illness. Son asked if she should be placed on a respirator if the
doctors say it might be necessary because of inadequate breathing,
although the doctor warns that if she is placed on a respirator she is
unlikely ever to come off it or to ever regain conciousness.
I discussed this question with Hagaon Rav Dovid Feinstein shlit'a on
Motzaei Shabbos. (As I understand the sides of this issue we are
questioning whether a respirator should be employed if we know it will
not cure the illness, but may provide CHAYEI SHAAH. We do believe in
the importance of chayei shaah-BUT it may not be included in the
obligation to provide REFUAH if there is no expectation that it would
do any good.)
He responded that we do rely on the doctors opinion if they say that
the person is dying and that placing patient on a respirator will only
delay death but will not help the patient recover, and under such
circumstances there is no reason to initiate treatment with the
respirator.