The policy, cultural struggle I'm currently having is we won't let the elderly die in peace, with some dignity.
The growing acceptance of hospice and euthanasia, during my life time, has been very encouraging.
But what happens when people are kept alive after they lost their agency?
My immediate family has two people in a nursing home. The sicker of the two is essentially a vegetable and is not permitted to die (feeding tube, other heroic efforts). The some what less sicker is also trying to die, but at least still remembers his own name, can return greetings.
If either of these two men were lucid, they'd be livid to learn they're still here.
There's a guy down the hall who hasn't had any external contact in 11 years. No friends, no family. He's a complete vegetable. It's horrifying.
I've instructed my family that when I'm no longer able to converse, when I need someone to manage my hygiene, to let me die. I do not want to become a long term burden on the living.
I'm so worried about it, I've been researching ways to kill oneself, should the need arise.
The policy, cultural struggle I'm currently having is we won't let the elderly die in peace, with some dignity.
The growing acceptance of hospice and euthanasia, during my life time, has been very encouraging.
But what happens when people are kept alive after they lost their agency?
My immediate family has two people in a nursing home. The sicker of the two is essentially a vegetable and is not permitted to die (feeding tube, other heroic efforts). The some what less sicker is also trying to die, but at least still remembers his own name, can return greetings.
If either of these two men were lucid, they'd be livid to learn they're still here.
There's a guy down the hall who hasn't had any external contact in 11 years. No friends, no family. He's a complete vegetable. It's horrifying.
I've instructed my family that when I'm no longer able to converse, when I need someone to manage my hygiene, to let me die. I do not want to become a long term burden on the living.
I'm so worried about it, I've been researching ways to kill oneself, should the need arise.