ABSTRACT
Death and dying in the context of intellectual disability introduces myriad problems and challenges that are overlooked by standard bioethical approaches. This chapter explores the need for new approaches to death and dying in relation to intellectual disability and analyzes the ways in which intellectual disability challenges standard approaches to end of life care and decision making. One problematic aspect of aging for people with intellectual disabilities is the disparities in health care access and detection for aging-related illnesses. The trend toward deinstitutionalization and community integration for people with intellectual disabilities is directly related to the treatment of patients at the end of life. Palliation is a central component of compassionate care at the end of life for all patients. Effective palliative care rests upon the ability to gauge and treat pain at the end of life. Autonomy has been invoked as the primary impetus behind patient empowerment and against medical paternalism.
