Assisted dying, has it's time arrived?

[danumdon]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/19/die-pain-government-assisted-dying-survey

I can see both sides to this argument, would it put pressure on older people to "hurry along" so the family don't have to put up with the "inconvenience"

Would it be a blessing to people who are suffering with terminal pain to not have to wait out their inevitable demise with all the associated suffering?

Tricky, because of the malfunctioning government we currently have and the possibility of its replacement by a socialist party playing at follow the leader but a slightly red tinged version, would you have faith in either not making a proper dogs breakfast of this?

[scawsby steve]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/19/die-pain-government-assisted-dying-survey

I can see both sides to this argument, would it put pressure on older people to "hurry along" so the family don't have to put up with the "inconvenience"

Would it be a blessing to people who are suffering with terminal pain to not have to wait out their inevitable demise with all the associated suffering?

Tricky, because of the malfunctioning government we currently have and the possibility of its replacement by a socialist party playing at follow the leader but a slightly red tinged version, would you have faith in either not making a proper dogs breakfast of this?

The only thing I disagree with there, DD, is the description of Labour as a socialist party. They're a left of centre liberalist party.

[Glyn_Wigley]

The cynic in me thinks it's a way for the government to ease the pressure on the NHS.

[Ldr]

I’ve often thought why is it “humane” to ease an animals suffering but not a human?

[mugnapper]

My dad had multiple cancers and lasted 10 days in a hospice. His last words to me, a day after being admitted,  were 'Why are they wasting money keeping me alive when I'm in agony'?
If he wasn't so tight, he'd have been on the plane to Dignitas for sure.

[glosterred]

I’ve often thought why is it “humane” to ease an animals suffering but not a human?

My thoughts exactly on this Ldr. Watching people suffer and not being able to do anything (legally) about it is heartbreaking.

[danumdon]

I agree with most the points made so far, i was also thinking about the way this changes the mentality in society towards older people and especially older people with increased needs. We've all seen on here how some have different attitudes to older people and pensioners in particular. Are people going to look towards older people as a larger drain on society and requiring a larger slice in care and benefits as a precursor to consider this direction?

I know in some countries older people are looked up to and revered as people with a lifetimes knowledge and experience and shown due respect, in the country where my family originate this is the case and people will go the extra mile to look after their elder relatives, would we say this is the case here?

With it probably becoming only a matter of time before we adapt legislation as others have worldwide i feel some older people will have a curtain amount of pressure implied to consider going down this road. I must admit i would not want to have my older relatives to think i was thinking in that direction but i fear in this country it will become something that will be implied in a clandestine manner.

[SydneyRover]

By the end of this year most of Oz will have assisted dying in law.

[roverstillidie91]

Yes 100%