Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Euthanasia for people with dementia paves the way for non-voluntary euthanasia.
The NL Times reported that the five regional euthanasia review committee's have agreed to expand euthanasia for people with dementia by loosening the requirements in four areas. The article stated:
The updated Euthanasia Code says that a dementia patient's statement requesting euthanasia does not have to be legally perfect. The statement, in which the patient describes the circumstances under which they want euthanasia, can sometimes be interpreted in multiple ways. Doctors will now have more room to interpret what the patient meant, for example by consulting family members.Not only do these new rules deny people with dementia the right to change their mind or consent at the time of death, but since they can be sedated, they will not even be aware that they are being killed.
Doctors will also be allowed to give a sedative to advanced dementia patients if they expect the patient will become aggressive or restless because they don't understand what's happening. The doctor also does not have to request a verbal confirmation from a patient with advanced dementia before the euthanasia procedure is performed. "Such a conversation is pointless, because such a patient lacks understanding of these topics," is stated in the code.
And it will be up to the doctor to assess whether a patient is suffering unbearably and hopelessly, the updated code reads. "The RTE should test that medical professional judgment with caution."
The change in the rules for people with dementia is based on the decision by the Netherlands Supreme Court in April 2020, concerning the euthanasia death of an incompetent woman with dementia who resisted at the death.
According to the case, a woman with dementia stated in her advanced directive that she wanted euthanasia but when the doctor came to inject her she resisted. The doctor put drugs in her coffee to sedate her but the woman continued to resist so the doctor had the family hold her down while the doctor injected her.
The Netherlands euthanasia law which came into effect in 2002. In 2017 there were 6585 reported euthanasia (lethal injection) deaths representing almost 4.5% of all deaths.
According to the DutchNL news, the number of assisted deaths for dementia or psychiatric reasons also increased in 2017, with 169 people dying by euthanasia for dementia (3 were advanced dementia) and 83 people dying by euthanasia for psychiatric reasons. The new rules concerning euthanasia for dementia will likely lead to many more deaths.
When the Netherlands legalized euthanasia, they required the person to consent to their death. The Netherlands has now come full circle as they are now willing to kill people who cannot consent, whether they have dementia or are children.
Euthanasia for people with dementia paves the way to non-voluntary euthanasia.
This makes me sick! I cannot imagine holding my precious mother down so a "doctor" can inject her with a death cocktail because she is suffering from dementia. My grandmother, who I loved so much, suffered from dementia and we loved and cared for her until her last breath. God says we will reap what we sow. They WILL face Him someday. Maybe their mother will be standing next to Him. I hope so.
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