There is a groundswell of supporters for VE, and eventually this voice will gather enough momentum to make a difference…
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There is a groundswell of supporters for VE, and eventually this voice will gather enough momentum to make a difference…
Belledelettres reflects my wife’s situation precisely, and twice I have had to make very precarious decisions regarding her medication. No one else could make those decisions and I was very upset at the time, having perhaps control over someone else’s life.
On reflection then and now I do not believe that Euthenasia or an Advanced Care Directive will ever be used with Dementia patients. The unknown is far too great.
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Sending hugs Jeff… it is a hideous time for everyone, but ever so much more for the partner (you in this case) havng to make these precarious decisions; by the time PWD need others to make the decisions, they have little or no knowledge of your continuing role. I believe Advanced Care Directives will untimately need to address this issue for PWD and other patients, e,g, stroke victims. SUCH A TERRIBLE TIME FOR LOVED ONES who are standing by our side.
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Thanks for posting this Kate.
Unfortunately it won’t come quickly enough. Despite 80% of the Australlian population supporting it, the politicians won’t legislate.
It’s coming up in Tasmania soon, and in NSW at the end of the year. And probably others states too.
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As you say, the politicians are unlikely to support it, but sooner or later, the groundswell against them will have to take over?
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It’s time has come as we awaken to compassion once again! Long overdue! Have a great weekend Kate! Much Love….VK
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Yes, long overdue! And have a lovely weekend too VK. It is a long weekend here, so we have tomorrow as well. woo hoo!! With love and hope.
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But how does someone know what quality of life they could put up with ahead of time? I’ve been thinking about my sister. (surprise, surprise!) So her day starts with someone waking her, helping her wash and dress, changing her pads. Then she has breakfast. She spends the day in the sitting room, sadly usually with the TV on. Lunch and supper punctuate the rest of the day. About 7pm she is washed, put into nightwear and tucked up in a reclining chair in her bedroom to watch more TV. Later on she is given a cup of tea and biscuits. Eventually she is put to bed.
For many busy people this must sound like luxury. The difficulty is knowing whether or not she is bored out of her skull? I personally enjoy occasional days relaxing with TV but I have a CHOICE not only about the programmes but about doing something else when I feel like it.
My sister doesn’t talk. I have no way of knowing if she doesn’t out of choice or because she cannot. When she held down a stressful job, she loved nothing more than a quiet time with newspapers on a Sunday. She loved The Archers on radio and detective dramas on TV. Does she miss the stimulation of a job, of reading, of interacting with other people? I am unlikely to know.
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So sad for everyone, and I guess you are right, how do we know if it is intolerable for them… thank you for this other point of view. However, when we have beloved pets ‘suffering’ like this, we do feel it is right to euthanase them.
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That’s why it’s important for people to prepare an Advanced Care Directive – or living will – will they are still cognitivly able to. it just tells your family and doctors what medical conditions you do and don’t want to live with. For example, you cna have “no resuscitation” if you certain conditions etc. or “no artificial feeding” in other conditions etc.
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