Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
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Doctors are still opposing a proposal to make euthanasia possible for elderly people who feel their life is fulfilled. The Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) says there are still too many risks for people in a vulnerable position.
D66 submitted an amended "completed life" bill in November. The bill states that people 75 years of age and older can decide to end their life when they feel they no longer wish to continue living. With the assistance of a new professional, the end-of-life counselor, they would be able to do so.
There are usually complex problems behind suicidal ideation in elderly people, KNMG warns. They mention problems like loneliness, depression, social isolation, financial problems, or a weak socioeconomic position.
The doctors' federation says more attention should be given to these issues. "The facilitating of suicide for the elderly in a vulnerable position is not a responsible or desirable way."
The age limit is also an issue for the KNMG, as it sends a signal "that life for the elderly is worth less than the life of younger people." KNMG expressed similar criticism about an earlier proposal.
The D66 party has been pushing for euthanasia for "completed life" for many years. In the last years general election the D66 fell from 24 - 9 seats. With the loss of political influence for the D66, it is unlikely that euthanasia will be extended to "completed life" any time soon.
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Completed Life or Premature Death?
The Netherlands has taken another new initiative in the right-to-die.
There is a popular movement to allow people over 70 years of age
to choose to end their lives even if they do not meet the criteria
established in Dutch law for assistance in dying from a physician.
If Dutch citizens decide that they are tired of life
or have completed everything they want to do with their lives,
then they should be permitted to 'check-out' before natural death.
Under current Dutch law, the patients must be suffering unbearably
before physicians are explicitly authorized to help them to die.
And generally, this means that they must be terminally-ill.
But this new movement of older people
seeks to permit other reasons to be acknowledged
as valid reasons for wanting to die.
In the United Kingdom, a similar movement has begun.
They use the name: SOARS: Society for Old Age Rational Suicide.
Here is their website, with much useful information and discussion:
http://www.soars.org.uk/
In October 2016, this organization changed its name to
My Death My Decision
and broadened its scope to include all ages
of people who have valid reasons for choosing death:
http://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk
However, does this new 'completed life' movement
take into account the problem of irrational suicide?
If we approve of people ending their own lives when they choose,
how does this differ from condoning foolish self-killing?
This chapter will attempt to lay out some reasonable methods
for separating wise end-of-life choices
from foolish decisions that will result in premature deaths.
I began the first draft of this essay when I was in the 70th year of my life.
Thus, I am old enough to qualify for any such new provision in law or practice.
Everything in this chapter applies to myself.
OUTLINE:
1. IRRATIONAL SUICIDE NEAR THE END OF LIFE.
2. SHOULD TERMINAL ILLNESS BE REQUIRED?
3. DOES IT MATTER HOW MY DEATH WILL BE RECORDED?
4. WAYS TO SEPARATE COMPLETED LIFE FROM PREMATURE DEATH.
A. ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FOR MEDICAL CARE
B. REQUESTS FOR DEATH FROM THE PATIENT
N. STATEMENTS FROM FAMILY MEMBERS
AFFIRMING OR QUESTIONING CHOOSING DEATH
D. PHYSICIAN'S STATEMENT OF CONDITION AND PROGNOSIS
E. INDEPENDENT PHYSICIAN REVIEWS THE CONDITION AND PROGNOSIS
C. PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSULTANT
EVALUATES THE PATIENT'S ABILITY TO MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS
G. UNBEARABLE SUFFERING
H. UNBEARABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUFFERING
O. A MEMBER OF THE CLERGY APPROVES OR QUESTIONS CHOOSING DEATH
P. RELIGIOUS OR OTHER MORAL PRINCIPLES
APPLIED TO THIS LIFE-ENDING DECISION
U. WAITING PERIODS FOR REFLECTION
5. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL JOIN THESE END-OF-LIFE DISCUSSIONS?
6. ARE MORE SAFEGUARDS NEEDED?
7. DECIDING WHEN MEANINGFUL LIFE IS OVER.
HOW THIS CHAPTER MIGHT CHANGE YOUR MIND:
Most readers coming from the right-to-die movement
will probably begin reading this chapter with the assumption
that anyone who wants to die should have that right.
But a note of caution will be introduced
when we consider that some chosen deaths might be premature.
What safeguards will help to separate dying at the very best time
from dying too soon because of worries about developments
that might happen if we wait too long.
Might it be helpful to consider the best time to die
by asking what meanings still remain possible?
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Read the whole chapter here:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/aws-website-jamesleonardpark---freelibrary-3puxk/CY-CLPD.html
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