In a poll conducted by the Taiwan Harmony Home Association, 34 percent of AIDS patients said they want to spend the last day of their life with their family.
The association — a charity group founded in 1986 that operates halfway homes for AIDS patients who are unable or unwilling to live at home — said it published the survey to raise awareness for World AIDS Day, which was yesterday.
The survey had 88 respondents aged between 19 and 80, about 90 percent of whom were men, in addition to two family members of AIDS patients, according to Harmony Home’s Enterprise Development Department director Chiao Hui-ling (喬慧玲).
Photo: Chen Ping-hung, Taipei Times
The survey asked respondents to pick a final wish for their last days from six options: family, spirituality, life, health, work or travel, Chiao said.
The largest group of patients — 34 percent — said they would like to spend their last days united with their family, the survey showed.
The survey contained a written section for patients to specify their preference in detail.
One young patient wrote that the family member he wants to see most is his grandmother, while an elderly patient wrote that his wish is to return to his family home to see his daughter-in-law and granddaughter, and to farm again in his field.
Another young, unmarried patient said he his last wish is to see his first girlfriend.
Other popular last wishes involved “departing the world in peace, making amends, or expressing gratitude,” chosen by 24 percent of respondents, and “experiencing life and exploring new activities,” chosen by 18 percent of patients, some of whom specified bungee jumping and parachuting.
A patient nicknamed A-ming (阿民) said he would like to prepare a feast for his close friends, as his dream is to become a chef.
Han Kuo-chiang (韓國強), an AIDS-prevention speaker and a patient, said it was his sister’s “unconditional acceptance and support” that gave him “the courage to live,” adding that the poll suggests that “unresolved issues with family remains a common concern.”
“The Harmony Home has provided care to more than 1,000 AIDS patients, and our advice to patients is to take the first step toward reconciliation, because healing takes time,” Han said.
That 10 percent of respondents wish to be healthy again, and 8 percent said they want to return to employment for a day, reflects the progress made by the medical profession, Han said, adding that patients who take medication diligently and observe proper precautions could expect their lives to return to normal.
“The greatest obstacle is society’s intolerance. I hope the public can keep an open mind, and accept AIDS patients instead of being terrified of them,” Han said.
Association founder and secretary-general Yang Chieh-yu (楊婕妤) said the outlook for AIDS patients has improved.
“In the past, almost every AIDS patient’s dying wish was that we would help keep their condition a secret from their families, or that they did not want their families to find out that they were gay or lesbian. However, society has progressed and patients’ attitudes have also changed,” Yang said.
“Communicating with your family how you feel is crucial,” she added.
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