There are many reasons it happens. We do our best to never give anyone false hope but we are obligated to tell everyone their options even if we don’t think they are the best options. They have a right to autonomy and we cannot persuade someone one way or another. It would be unethical. We are supposed to be factually unbiased. It’s not perfect, but we do our best. The problem is family members. Their husband or grandmother can no longer make decisions for themselves and the family is too distraught to be able to make decisions. That is why having a living will is so important.

People are afraid of death and will do anything to avoid it even if it’s futile. That is until the suffering becomes unbearable and they realize we can’t fix everything.