Possible TW - do you see yourself choosing Assisted dying?

[Threefullskips]

I hope this isn't too dark, but I've been thinking a lot about the legal and moral discussions in changing the legislation around assisted dying. And however we feel about it, it will be happening. In the context of NHS strain (and failure) , 'the market' taking care of the needs of elderly and infirm now more than families, properly prices, war on the horizon, increasing economic precarity - in a decade or so, we will all know people who have chosen to die by assisted dying. Is it something you have thought about? I hate to admit it, but I suspect it will be how I choose to go. And it feels like a defeat somehow. I'm perfectly healthy right now! Just looking into possible futures. This is a huge cultural change that will define our century imo. Sorry if this is too dark but I have tried to warn in title, I feel it surely merits a bit of discussion. Not sure what the AIBU is - AIBU to think more than 50% of the population will die this way in 50 years maybe?

I absolutely will. It is so cruel that we can offer a pain free death to our pets but can't do the same legally for ourselves

Absolutely yes. DH and I have discussed this many times and we are both on the same page that we would choose assisted dying. All our close family know our wishes and when we get around to it we will make our expression of wishes. We are early 60s and in good health.

Yes probably.

I don’t have kids and any friends will likely be elderly or dead themselves so won’t be much point dragging it on.

Yes I think so
unless there’s really good palliative care on offer / hospice I would be doing this
it’s horrific for all involved

You think 50% of the population will die this way in the future? No, that’s way way too high. The percentage of those making use of the service in other countries, bearing in mind in this country you will have to have fewer than 6 months to live, is tiny.

Yes. I have cancer. If it gets to the point that I don't want to carry on, I will absolutely make the choice to end it myself. I think it's barbaric that we can put pets down so that they don't suffer, but we can't legally make the same choices for ourselves here.

I work with people who have a degenerative disease. They finally years for many of them is completely undignified. none of them would have wanted and I wouldn’t not want for myself or my family members I think having the choice with the right safe guarding in place it has its place.

Yes I would.

Cannot rely on hospices, underfunded and many are facing staff lay offs at min.

Yes I will. I do not want to be in a care home, dependent on others or have dementia. I want dignity.

It’s a topic on which I am deeply conflicted. On one hand I am a firm believer in bodily autonomy so feel people should have the right to make decisions about their own treatments and end of life care. On the other hand I see how society treats people who are not deemed to be useful and productive and see the slippery slope argument.

But yes, I would use it to avoid an uncomfortable undignified death.

Having seen off several elderly relatives I dread those last steps of dying. I also had cancer a few years ago and found myself racking my brains to work out an exit strategy that wouldn't be too difficult for my family.
My worst fear is losing capacity and being kept alive.

Yes absolutely, especially after watching my husband die the death he wouldn't have chosen and didn't deserve.

Those with dementia won’t be eligible under either piece of legislation going through the parliaments at the moment. In fact, the way they are both drawn very few people really will.

Yes, if my demise is to be long, painful and expensive then I would prefer to go quickly and with luck leave my kids some cash!

yes but I am a complete control freak and have already paid for my funeral

Yes, I plan to. I have Switzerland money, because I don't see dementia being covered any time soon. It may not happen to me, but if it does then the moment I get a diagnosis, I'm off. I've seen what it did to my dad (Parkinsons) and my mum (self inflicted through alcohol, not going to happen to me). My family history is relatively favourable, but other factors also apply and I'm not doing it - to myself or my DC.

Yes.

If I get seriously ill (cancer) then I will choose this option. I do not want my children to see me dying. I've looked after my elderly relatives when they were ill and its not an easy time thing to go through.

Like others on this thread - I’ve watched family members live out their last weeks in excruciating pain and a dignified way to end their suffering would have been far preferable.

I bloody hope so because I don’t want the end of my life to be the long, protracted hell that many people have no choice but endure.

Absolutely yes. My Mum was in a lot of pain, deteriorated in health over ten or so years due to a degenerative illness. It was awful for her and her family.

It’s so important to have the conversations with our families.

Google says that Oregon legalised assisted dying in 1997.
Now, 28 yrs later, about 2% of Oregon deaths involved "assisted dying."

So I don't see more than 4% of UK deaths would involve assisted dying 50 years after AD gets legalised in UK.

It's not a decision I have to make today. I would be open-minded to AD if the quality of my life was terrible and couldn't be improved.

I’d definitely take the option if it’s available when I’m older. I watched my dad, my nan and my dog die in very quick succession, the only one afforded a peaceful and painless death was my dog.

I don’t know. My greatest fear is dementia and unfortunately I don’t think it would ever be covered . It isn’t a terminal illness. Also even if the scope was wider you have to be able to consent. I don’t think consent in advance would work as someone would need to decide when to assist at which point the doctors may say I don’t have capacity to say whether I changed my mind and am happy living that way.

Yes. If my daughter (disabled) dies before me I would like the option of a controversial free suicide.