[Tommy Jones]

I think my mum would have opted to have this.

I cared for her and she was screaming in agony before she passed away. She had horrible secondary infections that the doctors couldn’t help with. It was so distressing not being able to help her.

The last time I saw her she was begging to go. One of the infections eventually spread to her heart.

You’re at peace now dear mum.

 

[Ellev]

If only we could all just go to sleep one night and not wake up. EOLCP isn't always pain free.
Personally l don't want to be in pain nor do l wish to wander in circles all day not knowing where I am, who l am or who anybody else is. I don't want someone wiping my bum feeding me etc.

 

[Ellev]

I think my mum would have opted to have this.

I cared for her and she was screaming in agony before she passed away. She had horrible secondary infections that the doctors couldn’t help with. It was so distressing not being able to help her.

The last time I saw her she was begging to go. One of the infections eventually spread to her heart.

You’re at peace now dear mum.

 

[Rain72]

My mother wanted to die on her own terms. She made speeches pushing for VAD. In the end, she suffered in ways she never should have. Her greatest fear was dying alone, but she did in the end because of the cruel attitude of the staff at the Aged Care Home she resided in and the failure of medical experts to notice signs.
The law in many states is farcical. Seems ACT has it more right than most. Once a person has reached a stage where there is no quality of life, they should be allowed to go. The whole debate about it is absurd. We can already specify, as early in life as we choose, the conditions under which we want artificial help to live withdrawn. Why not allow people to specify the conditions under which they want help to die in exactly the same way? What is the difference? Let people consult lawyers and doctors and make their wishes known while they are mentally fit and agile and able to resist influencers. Problem solved.

 

[kdzimm]

This is your life, its about time you had a say in when you are tired and wish to go into your "forever sleep".

 

[NannaKay]

An essential component in my view is assisted dying for those with advanced dementia. It is an horrific existence, a burden on the entire family, and yet such people are excluded because they are deemed not capable of making such a decision. There needs to be some provision to request assisted dying should such a situation arise. It is too late once dementia is diagnosed.

 

[Iggydi]

We euthanise pets when they are suffering but we try to prolong humans life. It seems just wrong

 

[NannaKay]

My mother wanted to die on her own terms. She made speeches pushing for VAD. In the end, she suffered in ways she never should have. Her greatest fear was dying alone, but she did in the end because of the cruel attitude of the staff at the Aged Care Home she resided in and the failure of medical experts to notice signs.
The law in many states is farcical. Seems ACT has it more right than most. Once a person has reached a stage where there is no quality of life, they should be allowed to go. The whole debate about it is absurd. We can already specify, as early in life as we choose, the conditions under which we want artificial help to live withdrawn. Why not allow people to specify the conditions under which they want help to die in exactly the same way? What is the difference? Let people consult lawyers and doctors and make their wishes known while they are mentally fit and agile and able to resist influencers. Problem solved.

I totally agree! This is especially important in cases of dementia. I saw my husband go through the indignity of dementia. Should that happen to me, I would not want to continue such a pathetic and awful existence!

 

[MariaG]

An essential component in my view is assisted dying for those with advanced dementia. It is an horrific existence, a burden on the entire family, and yet such people are excluded because they are deemed not capable of making such a decision. There needs to be some provision to request assisted dying should such a situation arise. It is too late once dementia is diagnosed.

I totally agree NannaKay.
I am so sorry your mum and your family suffered, especially given her obvious choice to end a certain way.
When I updated my will, I updated my wishes regarding end of life directives. The hospitals take these very seriously.
My late hubby also had his wishes in writing. The primary directive was the usual DNR, and, he did not want to be kept alive by machines to live out his last days as a vegetable. That's what happened. We were all in the hospital room, the nurse came in and said can you give us a few minutes while we clean him up, then, his wishes were carried out. They soon came out to me and said he was gone. In those last hours, he did not know we were there. He left us as he wished, however, I stress that it was not a case of assisted dying. They took him off life support as he wished.
Having these things in writing is very important before one loses the ability to choose.
I would hope the same can happen with the assisted dying situation. Nobody wants to see those we love go through the pain that so many have to suffer. We need to have the choice to go with dignity.
Some might say it is not a good topic to talk about. I say, we will all be there in the end.
My hope is that we will be allowed to make that ultimate choice the same way that end of life directives is set up.