Atul Gawande's Being Mortal:

Death, ageing and serious illness are subjects most of us would rather not discuss, yet every life eventually meets them. This book looks at how medicine and society treat people in their final stages, and at what it means to be frail, dependent and unwell in old age. Drawing on research, on stories from the author's own practice, and on the experiences of other doctors and of his own family, it examines how care homes and hospitals often focus on safety and survival, while many older people want something more: autonomy, comfort and meaningful time. It explores alternatives, asks what makes a life worth living when its limits are closing in, and suggests ways for patients and loved ones to plan a better path through their last days.