Priorities all wrong with the law.

[Noidea2114]

Today are dog was put to sleep, he was 13 with diabetes, kidney failure etc. He woke this morning completely incontinent and couldn't stand and we feel as though his eyesight was fading. I phoned the vet and he advised that it's kinder to put to sleep. When I arrived the vet came to the car and administered the injection it was very peaceful in the end.
This afternoon we went to the window of the nursing home that mil is in. She is also suffering with diabetes, kidney failure etc. Incontinent both ways, bed bound and doesn't know who anyone is anymore. She has been like this for at least 6weeks now.
I don't know if I'm right or wrong but surely the law should be changed in some way for cases like this for euthenasia be legal. The doctors have told us that they are just keeping her comfortable until the end.

Completely agree as long as people can consent thoughtfully and clearly without duress. It seems really inhumane to allow suffering like this.

I agree wholeheartedly. Its disgusting how we let people suffer at the end of their life here but we can end it with dignity for our pets.

I'm pro euthanasia but I have no idea how you would do it. Do you have to consent before you get to the point you can't? Can you nominate some to decide on your behalf? This is the problem and I have no idea of the answers.

I agree.

I can completely agree why you say this op. Dh sees the operation he needs being performed on supervet and often asks if I could take him up there for treatment.
I think the BIG difference is a frail old lady isnt going to do much harm to others where as a dog could turn and bite.

YABU. So unreasonable it is hard fo know how to begin.

Your MIL is not a dog.

You have not indicated that MIL has ever expressed a wish for her life to be ended. You seem to be suggesting that it should be permitted to euthanise incontinent people who have dementia; notwithstanding the apparent absence of any previously stated wish by them regarding this. That is how your post reads.

Maybe grief over your dog and distress over MIL is affecting you. But taken at face value your analysis is breathtakingly naive, reductive and simplistic.

I agree wholeheartedly OP. It’s astounding that we are expected to treat animals with more kindness than our loved ones. It makes no sense, especially when other countries have got it so right.

I agree, i have heard so many times from residents they want to die. They are living with dementia, which is a cruel disease to live with.

I agree. We have a close relative who is now not all there, but enough to know what's wrong, bed bound, often in pain... It's just horrible for everyone involved and the relative often says they wish they just died finally.

The fact that we can prolong life, doesn't mean we should.

The way we prolong the miserable existence of elderly people is inhuman. I don’t know how people can defend it. I worked in a nursing home for years there were people there who’s lives were beyond awful. Dementia isn’t just about forgetting things.

I agree to an extent.

There are lots of reasons why this wouldn't be ethical though.

I also really struggle with some of the reasons that people have done this in other countries, although the reasons are entirely down to them, I believe that a lack of resources in other areas of healthcare would be a contributing factor in their choice.

Given the way the NHS is just now I wouldn't trust the government not to divert more funds away from cancer treatments, mental health treatments etc because it will be cheaper for people to decide to euthanase themselves.

It makes us uncomfortable to watch people suffer, we can’t just extinguish them for that reason though - or do you mean voluntary euthanasia?

I completely agree. If I ever develop a terminal illness I hope I am in a position to travel to Switzerland so that I can leave peacefully and with dignity.

On the one hand that would seem more humane. On the other hand, there is the difficult question of consent. Lots of people say they would want to die before they developed x, y, z, but when they actually get there they are often terrified of dying. Or don't know a thing about it.

Who should be saddled with the burden of making that decision for them at a point where part of their suffering is that they have lost the ability to make it for themselves. What if one child thinks it's time and another child doesn't? What if the child thinks mum would want to die now and the husband doesn't? What if there is an inheritance involved? A court case?

I think euthanasia can only work if it is performed while the patient themselves are in a position to consent and be involved in arrangements.

Why can't we recognise advanced directives and allow them to include choices on euthanasia? The patient can revoke them verbally but otherwise the Dr knows what they want.

I have one stating the conditions under which I don't want active treatment and instead want nature to take its course. Why should my husband or child be able to over ride that?

@Noidea2114 @LadyLightning

Of course. We have been to the vets' similarly and he said - "I hope it's available for me if my time comes".

Sadly though for the people who may "need" it there is the problem that they would need to give "informed consent" which would probably be impossible.

Could it work like DNR? Pre agreed that if you get to certain point you will be helped to die?

YABU. I have diabetes and other health problems and it's my fear that euthanasia will be made legal, with the public support it has. I feel many people do not value or deeply empathise with the lives of sick people and only imagine it must be a burden to live with those problems. Once euthanasia is made legal it will be very difficult to police given the vulnerability of the ill and the desire not to be a burden to loved ones.

I'm not sure about this one: I used to think it was very simple when I saw news items about Diane Pretty. But there are so many other disabled campaigners - I believe Liz Carr from 'Silent Witness' is a very vocal opponent - who fear, rightly or wrongly, that they'd be incredibly vulnerable in the event of a change to the law. I really don't know.

I think Covid has shown us that it is open to abuse - people reporting 'DNR' notices on family members that precisely no-one had authorised. Very dark.

I really don't know. Part of me thinks you're right, OP, that humans should be allowed the dignity to end their life once it stops being meaningful, or really living. Another part of me thinks it would be incredibly difficult to police and enforce ethically because one person's view of "zero quality" might not be the same as the next persons.

I agree. I think it's inhumane that humans aren't granted the same peaceful death which we give to our pets.

I watched a documentary about Dignitas and, although upsetting at times, it was ultimately very uplifting. I'd love to go there when my time comes - if I can afford it.

I could imagine too many people ending their lives so as not to be a burden.

I completely agree OP, having been to the vet too many times for my pets to be PTS at the right time.
Although sad I have always taken solace in knowing that their ends have come at the right time for them and been peaceful and dignified so why can't we do the same for our elderly or terminally ill especially when their quality of life is non existant.
I already have a fund ring fenced for Dignitas in future. When I outlive my usefulness and require any kind of outside assistance/care then I'll be off to Switzerland and a fitting for my wooden overcoat.
My family are aghast at my honesty about this issue but these are the important things your family should know about you.

100% agree.
So sorry about your MIL. I hope she's not in pain.
So sorry about your dog