My friend's wife has been in and out of hospital for the last year with a cancer that's spread throughout her body pretty aggressively. She recently had a stroke that left her unable to speak, but she is responsive and relatively alert. The doctors want to discharge her. In the past few days, however, she's refused food.

My friend is unsure how to proceed. If he should push to keep her in the hospital or let them discharge her to go home. I feel like he's having difficulty communicating with her about what she ultimately wants.

My question is, does anyone know of or have a flowchart or something similar that can help someone talk to their loved one about next steps, when that person is only able to communicate yes/no? Any other advice for helping my friend with dealing with difficult questions? He is overwhelmed and I think worried that she will die if she comes home. But maybe that's what she wants. To be home.