Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking is a method increasingly used in the USA and other countries for those choosing a final exit. I just finished a very interesting SHORT handbook written by an author who saw her family through her mom's early dementia choice for deliverance by VSED. It discusses choices, and especially legalities of said method and is a fascinating look at one family's journey.
Available on Amazon; cannot remember exact price but close to 15.00.
Book is called The VSED Handbook and is written by Kate Christie.
I recommend it if you have any interest in the subject.
That's the glory of this book.
It lists the stages. The symptoms. The relief you must have at the ready. And how to DO all of that.
This is by no means easy, but for many this is the only final exit of THEIR CHOICE that is an option. And they must have family in agreement. And they need all the medical and legal help they can get and this tells how to get that.
So just saying, there is no easy way to get out of here. This is an option. And reading a book with footnotes on contacts, telling how it was done by family? For me, this is a godsend. I have talked about this with my daughter. About the "option". And I so appreciate this added information.
For many, this may be too tough. For an old RN and her daughter? We could DO this if the time came. And we have spoken of it. And this is just but more information.
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I will follow up on the VSED Handbook. I have done some preliminary reading on the subject, which indicates that it's not a DIY project.
The below is in the VSED handbook, not in the memoir, Mother Lode:
"PS There is also an EXCELLENT short section in this VSED handbook about what legal competency is. How seniors, even those in earlier stages of dementia are LEGALLY able to make legal decisions for themselves. I found it very relevant reading for our Forum."
You don't need a medical diagnosis to do VSED because you are merely choosing not to eat and drink. That is your right as a citizen to do at any time you choose. The Supreme Court long ruled that a person cannot be forced to eat or drink or take IV fluids, etc. Many people write into their advance directives and medical POA instructions that they will not accept IV or PEG/NG feedings and will not agree to be spoon fed when they can no longer take nourishment on their own.
People often use VSED when there IS no 6 months diagnosis, but they are ready to go. They are legally able to do this even until completely incompetent to make their wishes known.
Thanks again, Margaret
It took about a week.