Prolonging life without consent

Dementia & Pacemaker

DNR
Do not resuscitate,
A reasonable approach
To a dead end fate,
And one might argue
We all will die someday,
But if you have severe dementia
How long would you choose to stay?

Why do I ask? I'll tell you
I just met Betty Jane,
About the only thing she understands
Is to localize her pain,
No kind of simple words
Can appeal to any reason,
Betty's brain is at survival mode
And it's a long and pointless season.

She lives her life in a nursing home
Her cognition is unaware,
She can not form a memory
Nor have a thought to share,
She truly lives in the moment
Each minute is unique,
Though she can't recall the one before
Nor anything last week.

She doesn't know her children
Where she lives, or anything,
No purpose of existence
But she can walk and sometimes swing,
So a DNR is sensible
Yes, she requires a caretaker,
But honestly I think
It's a crime to give her a pacemaker.

She didn't request or pay for it
Just who made this choice?
And why would they do it
When Betty has no active voice,
Regarding her life
Without cognitive awareness,
I'm guessing it was family
Well meaning, without fairness.

Yep, a pacemaker just a month ago
Her heart was slowing down,
She had a bout of syncope
Where she lived in memory town,
A doctor intervened
Made a referral out beyond,
The care-center demanded it
"She might pass out at the pond!"

Naturally her son
Didn't want to miss his momma,
Despite the fact she doesn't know
A period from a comma,
So they shipped her out
Said, don't come back
Until your heart is stronger,
We'll await with open arms
To help you live a little longer.

Betty doesn't understand
Why her chest is sore and tender,
She scratches, picks and plucks
Till the incision doth surrender,
Where infection did ensue
Promoting gross and smelly pus,
Whereby the folks at memory town
Stated; you can't stay with us.

Another long trip to the hospital
A hundred-fifty miles away,
While everyone at memory town
Said, Betty we will pray,
For another speedy recovery
For a long and fruitful life,
When you come back, see Bobby
He is looking for a wife.