Have you ever known anyone who used one of the “end of life” services in Switzerland?

[Anonymous]

I know someone who did this at home in DC. They were roughly 50 and had a glioblastoma brain tumor and elected to die at home while in relatively good physical and mental health vs. undergoing a 6-12 month decline that is inevitable once a glioblastoma comes back following initial surgery.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor just passed away, electing for at home hospice care instead of chemo for something that was virtually incurable. Went on her own terms, and with dignity and clarity.

Changing tracks - my neighbor's aged mother is still alive. I think that this is the bane of being long-lived. Your probability of outliving your children increases.

[Anonymous]

Post the name of the "end of life" service in Switzerland. Can one book for the future?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An old boss of mind did this. Here's an article about it:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/03/16/hal-malchow-scheduled-death-democrats-00147362

Thank you for sharing this, it's lovely.

I am an attorney who has seen a great deal and even more in the last near decade I've spent in family caregiving and professional caregiving, much of it with people succumbing to Alzheimer's or related dementias or other crippling illnesses. I am certain of my own desire to plan my end of life rather than end in such circumstances.

I hope someday we will have universal medical aid in dying in the states, but I don't hold out hope for it happening in time for when I'll need it. Americans are too mired in religion.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who did this in California.

They were given a pill.

They were at their children's house and everyone came to say their goodbyes.

They picked a day and he took the pill and went to sleep and never woke up.

[Anonymous]

What is this pill? In the movies people were given a cyanide pill to take in case they were captured. What could, realistically, be obtained and used?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am praying this is legal in 20 years in the US. Watching my mother deteriorate over the past 9 years suffering from dementia has been awful. And still no end in sight.

Someone can correct me if there are others, but I think Oregon is the only state that allows assisted death with advanced dementia. T

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am praying this is legal in 20 years in the US. Watching my mother deteriorate over the past 9 years suffering from dementia has been awful. And still no end in sight.

But the problem with dementia as your reasoning is that it won't be the family's choice when the person is too far gone and this might be a good choice. That's murder. The person themselves will have to decide to do it when they are still sort of sane and lucid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know the one. Where they hook you up to a drip and let you pass away on your own? If so how was the person’s experience (obviously if it went well we know how it ended)?

In the U.S., following are the 12 States or Jurisdictions where Death with Dignity is Legal

California Colorado Delaware District of Columbia Hawai’i Maine Montana New Jersey New Mexico Oregon Vermont Washington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who got a demential diagnosis and was in the early-ish stages in his 70s and did it. Sounds like there is a lot of paperwork to ensure that the person is actually consenting.

TBH I will not be riding out the last 5-10 years of my life in some sort of mental or physical decline that bankrupts me and destroys my relationships, so I will be doing this if it feels necessary.

I could have written this myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am praying this is legal in 20 years in the US. Watching my mother deteriorate over the past 9 years suffering from dementia has been awful. And still no end in sight.

But the problem with dementia as your reasoning is that it won't be the family's choice when the person is too far gone and this might be a good choice. That's murder. The person themselves will have to decide to do it when they are still sort of sane and lucid.

DP. That's why it should work the other ways: require a demonstration of consent and mental competence to live past certain milestones.

[Anonymous]

My parent really wants to do this, but has no terminal illness. They’ve tried to end their life at home and it didn’t work out. I’m trying to wrap my head around supporting it but having a hard time doing so. Would you assist, as a child? And where to start? They’ve gone down the path with the doctor here in the US and can’t qualify domestically.

[Anonymous]

I hope it’s legal in the US by the time I get there, and I hope there’s a way for them to legalize it for dementia sufferers. Dementia is the most horrid disease. My mom is on year five or six or seven, I’ve lost track, and has been in a facility for the past four years. We’re now up to over $12k a month for her care but it’s not even about the money. They are very good to her and she gets well taken care of but her quality of life is horrible and her memory is down to about five minutes. It’s awful to witness, she’s a lovely woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parent really wants to do this, but has no terminal illness. They’ve tried to end their life at home and it didn’t work out. I’m trying to wrap my head around supporting it but having a hard time doing so. Would you assist, as a child? And where to start? They’ve gone down the path with the doctor here in the US and can’t qualify domestically.

Get them a large tank of mostly pure nitrogen or helium (balloon tanks have too much oxygen).

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how much the Switzerland option costs?