Death by dehydration was 'Inhumane, awful and barbaric'

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

An article by Steve Bagnall published by the North Wales News on March 21 concerns the death of Sarene Taylor (88) from North Wales (UK) who was starved and dehydrated to death over 28 days.

Bagnall interviewed Rob Taylor, the son of Sarane, and then reports:

Readers have been left shocked and appalled at how end of life care is handled in some cases, after an 88-year-old woman was left without food and water for 28 days before she died. The devastating story of Sarene Taylor, was brought to the public by her heartbroken son Rob Taylor, a decorated and highly respected former North Wales rural police officer.

He told how his mum suffered a stroke and was taken to a North Wales hospital more than four weeks ago. Doctors said there was nothing more they could do for her and she was sent back to die in a care home after foods and fluids were withdrawn.

However it took his beloved mum 28 days before she finally passed away yesterday (Monday). Mr Taylor said the approach to end of life care was "inhumane" and "heartbreaking" for the family and had to change.

Bagnall reports Mr Taylor saying in a statement:

"I understand end of life care, and the carers and district nurses do a fantastic job but to deny a human being food and water is disgraceful and we as a society need to ensure that this doesn't happen again."

Rob Taylor, a respected, retired police officer, is absolutely correct. His mother died by dehydration over 28 days. Therefore Sarene was not actually dying after her stroke. Her body was not shutting down and she was not near to death. If her body was actually dying, her death would have come within days, not four weeks.

Sarene Taylor was killed by dehydration, not because there was nothing that they could do for her, but because they decided not to do anything for her, since they believed that she was unlikely to improve.

The story resulted in many readers of the North Wales News commenting that this is a strong case for legalizing euthanasia. This was a woman who died from neglect and intentional dehydration. This is elder abuse.

Further to that, according to the story, Sarene Taylor was not capable of consenting to be killed by euthanasia. The response of the readers shows you how dangerous it is to legalize euthanasia, since people will demand death for someone who cannot consent to be killed.

This is a inhumane, awful and barbaric story of "lack of care." This form of elder abuse should never happen and yet it is somewhat common.

Everyone needs to purchase the Life Protecting Power of Attorney for Personal Care to protect them from such a barbaric death. (Purchase the Power of Attorney)