With the discussion of whether assisted dying should be allowed in Scotland befing brought up again, I was wondering what other people thought of the topic.

Do you think people should be allowed to choose when to end their own life?

What laws need to be put into place to prevent abuses in the system?

How do we account for people changing their mind or mental decline causing people to no longer be able to consent to a procedure they previously requested?

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[–] tobogganablaze@lemmus.org 17 points 7 months ago (3 children)

We already have it in Switzerland.

I'm all for it. I actually had to promise my mum to off her in case she ever get's dementia. (She had to care for her own mother with dementia for almost a decade, to the point where everyone in the family was just glad when she finally died).

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Get something on paper. I have no idea what the laws are like in Switzerland, but a verbal promise may not be enough.

[–] tobogganablaze@lemmus.org 8 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

She already made sort of will for the case when she's mentally impaired which would give me power over medical decisions (not quite sure what all the proper english terms here are).

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Okay, good. I hope you never have to use it, friend!

[–] tobogganablaze@lemmus.org 6 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Yup. On the other side I have a slight feeling she's actively trying to spare me from it. She's 60 now and just picked up climbing and caving ... and not the "guided tourist" stuff. I think she's now looking into diving ...

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 4 points 7 months ago

That’s awesome! Glad to hear it!

[–] WookieMonster@midwest.social 3 points 7 months ago

I have no idea about Switzerland, but a lot of these death with dignity laws do not include dementia and the like. You may want to check out what the legal options and realities are.

I've watched both of my grandmas head down this same road, preparing for my mom to do the same. It's absolutely terrifying and I was seriously looking at moving somewhere that would give me the option, only to find it doesn't exist currently in my country (US).

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 3 points 7 months ago

promise my mum to off her in case she ever [gets] dementia

My dad has what we call a 'DNR' order after his time as an EMT prolonging the life of some elderly people who didn't. He also now has a 'living will' after an affliction that will kill him in the next decade and is not feasibly preventable. Before his brain is too far gone from oxygen deprivation and he can't be judged fit to make the call, he's got provisions and criteria to end his life. He still had to meet with a psyche to ensure it's what he wanted, a blessing since a former EMT who's worked on the Water has more than enough information and no need to ask permission.