end-of-life decisions

sbr1148

What are the options for a dignified death if your state has not legalized medical-aid-in dying (MAID)?

Roxygirl

Dignitas in Zurich

moogi

I am now an official member of Dignitas in Zurich. They have recently begun to help people with Alzheimers. You must be competent as deemed by Dignitas . You can see their definition of competent in their materials. Another option, legal in all states, is VSED, voluntary stopping eating and drinking. I recommend The VSED Handbook by Kate Christie about her family's experience in helping her mother die through VSED. Some hospice programs will offer supportive care during VSED in the form of administration of Ativan and morphine to treat anxiety. I recommend you talk with a palliative care doctor to find out what kind of support, if any, they provide for VSED. VSED can be used only by a dying person who is competent to consent. I refer to this period of competency as my "window of opportunity" to attain the kind of death I wish for.

It is sad that these are the only choices available to us. I wish I could have a death like the death our family provided our beloved golden retriever, Chloe. We sat around her, petting her, soothing her, while our vet injected her with a medicine that immediately stopped her heart. Swift, completely painless and compassionate.

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/267182#Comment_267182

GEH

I do find it extremely curious that we are allowed to help our pets "over the rainbow" when they are old, sick and in pain and I cannot legally choose to pass on my terms before my Alzheimer's totally takes my mind and my dignity.

Roxygirl

yes here in the United States we seem to treat our pets with compassion and dignity when it is their time but not human beings… I too will choose to end my life when I am still cognitively aware to do so.

CARM123

i have wondered about that as well uh

CARM123

i wonder about this as well

The starving and dehydration method seem so cruel