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I looked into this recently and it seems like it is basically impossible to pre-arrange assisted suicide for alzheimer's or dementia. Even in countries which al

I looked into this recently and it seems like it is basically impossible to pre-arrange assisted suicide for alzheimer's or dementia. Even in countries which allow death with dignity. I find it very strange because it’s so common and I’m sure many people would prefer DWD in those circumstances.

KellyCriterion 2mo ago
In Switzerland, there are four agencies - one treats foreigners as well (Pegasos Association)
awakeasleep 2mo ago
To me, it doesn’t seem strange at all because I’m thinking about how complicated the system would have to be to carry out such a directive.
parpfish 2mo ago
shouldn't finding a way to kill yourself be pretty easy, even without legal DWD? you can overdose on OTC meds, or get a knife, or (in America) pick up a gun.
- lostlogin 2mo ago
  > DWD? you can overdose on OTC meds, or get a knife, or (in America) pick up a gun. Someone with sound mind is likely to worry about what’ll be left for loved ones to clean up. And someone suffering dementia/Alzheimer’s may well forget the plan.
- throwaway173738 2mo ago
  None of these things guarantee death and if you fail they come with some awful complications. Overdosing on Morphine is probably the easiest, most humane way to die.
- dj_gitmo 2mo ago
  Once you reach that state, you cannot accomplish anything like that.
wahern 2mo ago
You can do it in Canada. Canada is on a euthanasia tear, and something like 3-4% of all deaths are by euthanasia or assisted suicide, and on track to reach double digits in the coming years. But euthanasia for dementia is a fine ethical line to navigate (Canada notwithstanding) because consent is either absent or suspect when the time comes.
tsimionescu 2mo ago
The big problem with Alzheimer or dementia is related to consent and timing. People's memory dissolves pretty slowly. You'd almost certainly not want to be euthanized when you've just started forgetting where you've put your keys more often. Many would rather be euthanized than continue being a burden when they have stopped even remembering that bathrooms exist or who their family was. Between these extremes you can have many years, maybe even a decade, of good and bad days, weeks, months.

KellyCriterion 2mo ago

In Switzerland, there are four agencies - one treats foreigners as well (Pegasos Association)

awakeasleep 2mo ago

To me, it doesn’t seem strange at all because I’m thinking about how complicated the system would have to be to carry out such a directive.

parpfish 2mo ago

shouldn't finding a way to kill yourself be pretty easy, even without legal DWD? you can overdose on OTC meds, or get a knife, or (in America) pick up a gun.

lostlogin 2mo ago
> DWD? you can overdose on OTC meds, or get a knife, or (in America) pick up a gun. Someone with sound mind is likely to worry about what’ll be left for loved ones to clean up. And someone suffering dementia/Alzheimer’s may well forget the plan.
throwaway173738 2mo ago
None of these things guarantee death and if you fail they come with some awful complications. Overdosing on Morphine is probably the easiest, most humane way to die.
dj_gitmo 2mo ago
Once you reach that state, you cannot accomplish anything like that.

wahern 2mo ago

You can do it in Canada. Canada is on a euthanasia tear, and something like 3-4% of all deaths are by euthanasia or assisted suicide, and on track to reach double digits in the coming years. But euthanasia for dementia is a fine ethical line to navigate (Canada notwithstanding) because consent is either absent or suspect when the time comes.

tsimionescu 2mo ago

The big problem with Alzheimer or dementia is related to consent and timing. People's memory dissolves pretty slowly. You'd almost certainly not want to be euthanized when you've just started forgetting where you've put your keys more often. Many would rather be euthanized than continue being a burden when they have stopped even remembering that bathrooms exist or who their family was. Between these extremes you can have many years, maybe even a decade, of good and bad days, weeks, months.