I think it should be the persons choice if that decision is made while they are healthy and in right mind it should be honored just like a living will or DNR order. I would want this myself after caring for my mother with Alzheimer's there is quality of life and when you no longer even know you are in the world or where or who you are with there is no quality of life.
Sounds like a slippery slope to me. Old people will feel obligated to die earlier than they would have otherwise. How long before kids are saying, "Look mom/dad, you're too expensive and a pain in the a--, would you Please just check out!". Just because many of us think it doesn't make it right to do.
In a country where old people are loved and respected and cherished, something like this might work. But this is America, land of the young, where old people are disrespected and pushed aside. They are not asked to share their wisdom, they are told to hush. And that is why I can't vote for it.
Do I believe that terminally ill people should have the right to kill themselves? That people newly diagnosed with Alzheimers should have the choice to kill themselves before the disease has taken away all that is them? Yes. But until this is a safe country for old people, this won't be a good law.
In Holland they are voting for the right to a complete life after 70. It is going to their parliament this summer. You can google it, but if two doctors sign papers for you, you can 'go'. They already have this law for terminally ill and dementia patients. They also have a great alzheimers home where they just let them live and wander, but not sure how that works when they need 1 to 1 care. Haven't researched that enough.
Hello Trunner, I know I was prescribed Ativan in a hospital setting in the psych ward, but I don't remember it. I was given a prescription for it at home for anxiety and the first pill I took knocked me on my a-- and I had to go to bed. Slept for hours. Threw the bottle out. I was looking for less anxiety, not a coma for crimeney's sake! LOL! I have some info on Ativan for you, I use a great little dot com called drugs. I suggest checking it out because I'm just going to give you some highlights.
"What is Ativan? Ativan (lorazepam) is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. Ativan is used to treat anxiety disorders. Ativan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide."
"Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by lorazepam."
"The sedative effects of Ativan may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Ativan."
"Ativan should be used for only a short time.”
“You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medicine. Withdrawal symptoms may include tremor, sweating, muscle cramps, stomach pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and seizure (convulsions).”
“Ativan side effects Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Ativan: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: confusion, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself; hyperactivity, agitation, hostility; hallucinations; or feeling light-headed, fainting. Less serious Ativan side effects may include: drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness; blurred vision; sleep problems (insomnia); muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination; amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating; nausea, vomiting, constipation; appetite changes; or skin rash.”
If your mom or you are not happy with this medication, perhaps consider talking with her doctor about adjusting the dosage or changing medications.
capnhardass, i'm with you. those are questions that are appropriate for me to discuss with my therapists only. not fodder for the VA to make any decisions for me on. you are allowed to discontinue the questions, i did. i told them that i felt they were intrusive and had nothing to do with my health concern at the time. EVERYTHING about the Government is intrusive these days. :/
Cap harass they put my mom on adivan and she's gone from talking and eating to not eating and just laying their like she's dead please tell me more about adivan
Ditto all what you just said, windytown. Thanks for stating it because I could not get my head around it and it was exhausting me. LOL. Have a Blessed evening, Everyone. xo
Capnhardass, I think your bone to pick lies with the government and who the powers that be deem is who is valuable. We are entering interesting times, indeed.
Christians, and belief in Christ has nothing to do with the people in charge in this day and age. I respect your opinion, but I disagree.
The OP's question boggled my mind. We don't euthanize people, because we are human, NOT animals. Valuing life is a basic Christian tenet and allowing people to die when THEY are ready is something we hold sacred. Jesus wouldn't let you go, but big government will as soon as have you die if you're no longer useful and paying into the system.
All I'm saying is big brother probably wants to know if your sons will be there for you when you're at death's door, and any love interest, and if you prefer a religious component to be involved. They need to know who to notify for legal purposes and get your last nickel.
Remember, you're dealing with the government, a really big government, and they are not God. He'd do things a lot differently and with mercy and love to see you into your old age.
I pray for you and me and all of us entering into this age. Time for a ciggie, though big gov wants $6.00 a pack.
people are being euthenized right now from what ive been reading . at some point when a hospice nurse cranks up the morphine they are fully aware that respiratory distress will follow. in the past a heart stopping elixer was combined with the morphine to induce death but now that function is achieved with ativan. whats even more disturbing is how patients are being evaluated for their value to society. the va is forever asking me about my relationship with my sons and even if i have a romantic interest. they are implying that they will not spend money on me unless my demise affects a number of people. its rather scary because if an older person doesnt have much money chances are they dont have adult children lovingly hanging around them. i answered 100 yes or no questions for the va recently. too dam many of them kept referring back to whether i had a belief system or not. i think christians may be getting preferential treatment in this country..
Just wanted to say to trunner0 that you can change hospices. You do not have to stay with the hospice you started out with. Good luck to you. Check to see if your hospice is a not for profit group or a for profit organization. If they are "for profit," they make a lot of money off of each patient and they don't want to lose you. Threaten to leave and see what happens.
That is a tough one. You would have to get it regulated and have very strict laws on the books. Unfortunately, I just do not think it is that easy. At this point we would choose hospice. Hospice was wonderful when my mother fell ill with ALS. I was tough, but they did make it a bit easier.. I would do the same for my father.
I remember thinking about that when my FIL was not eligible for surgery and was placed in hospice. He basically starved to death since he was not able to have anything except clear fluids due to his intestinal perforation.
When our beloved Newfoundland had bone cancer we were able to euthanize her to put her out of pain. We weren't able to do the same for a human.
As people have pointed out, if its too easy, as it is with animals, it will be misused- as it is with animals.
I don't know. It may be a good thing. It would be terrible to be old and have an abusive child that controlled you by saying he/she was going to put you to sleep. That would be awful. :-0
There are many layers to that question. I agree with Debralee is that people would be euthanized before their time because they are no longer deemed as useful. You also have Christian viewpoints of God is the giver and taker of life. There is also a point that humans (many times) have some form of health insurance. There are times when myself and other family members have felt that patients are many times prolonged because insurance is paying pretty well. Medical technology has been a blessing and a curse. Many patients who would have passed from a stroke, heart attack or cancer decades ago have been saved -- only to live more years and develop dementia, Alzheimers, etc. and slowly lose all touch with reality. We keep older people alive to have a growing population of elderly people who are sacred, confused, etc. You also have groups that believe people should be kept alive forever pretty much to the point of life support for eternity. So there are many facets to this issue.
Yes, you have to challenge them, make them hear you. I have had to make more noise over the care of my Mother than with my children. Wish she had spoken up for me even once when I was a child. Oh well. I suppose I used the lessons of neglect to be a super Mom and caregiver. Can't shut me up over injustice.
We are on hospice they have not done anything they've said they have let my mom suffer needlessly taking up to three days to come out I have heard a lot of good things about them but in my case they were horrible things are better now but I had to get really mad first hopefully no one will ever have the experience we have had with them
I believe that HOSPICE is available for the elderly who meet certain criteria. The service keeps end of life patients COMFORTABLE. This does not kill them, it keeps them comfortable and calm as they transition. It is reasonable and humane. Hospice is a frequent topic of discussion on Aging Care.
Because some people wouldn't hesitate to euthanize the unwanted elderly before they are ready. These are the same people who use this method to put done an unwanted pet. I am all for ending suffering, but not at the expense of the elderly or animals because they no longer serve a useful purpose.
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I would want this myself after caring for my mother with Alzheimer's there is quality of life and when you no longer even know you are in the world or where or who you are with there is no quality of life.
In a country where old people are loved and respected and cherished, something like this might work. But this is America, land of the young, where old people are disrespected and pushed aside. They are not asked to share their wisdom, they are told to hush. And that is why I can't vote for it.
Do I believe that terminally ill people should have the right to kill themselves? That people newly diagnosed with Alzheimers should have the choice to kill themselves before the disease has taken away all that is them? Yes. But until this is a safe country for old people, this won't be a good law.
ADVERTISEMENT
"What is Ativan?
Ativan (lorazepam) is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. Ativan is used to treat anxiety disorders. Ativan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide."
"Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by lorazepam."
"The sedative effects of Ativan may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Ativan."
"Ativan should be used for only a short time.”
“You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medicine. Withdrawal symptoms may include tremor, sweating, muscle cramps, stomach pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and seizure (convulsions).”
“Ativan side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Ativan: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
confusion, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
hyperactivity, agitation, hostility;
hallucinations; or
feeling light-headed, fainting.
Less serious Ativan side effects may include:
drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness;
blurred vision;
sleep problems (insomnia);
muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination;
amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating;
nausea, vomiting, constipation;
appetite changes; or
skin rash.”
If your mom or you are not happy with this medication, perhaps consider talking with her doctor about adjusting the dosage or changing medications.
Have a Blessed evening, Everyone. xo
Christians, and belief in Christ has nothing to do with the people in charge in this day and age. I respect your opinion, but I disagree.
The OP's question boggled my mind. We don't euthanize people, because we are human, NOT animals. Valuing life is a basic Christian tenet and allowing people to die when THEY are ready is something we hold sacred. Jesus wouldn't let you go, but big government will as soon as have you die if you're no longer useful and paying into the system.
All I'm saying is big brother probably wants to know if your sons will be there for you when you're at death's door, and any love interest, and if you prefer a religious component to be involved. They need to know who to notify for legal purposes and get your last nickel.
Remember, you're dealing with the government, a really big government, and they are not God. He'd do things a lot differently and with mercy and love to see you into your old age.
I pray for you and me and all of us entering into this age. Time for a ciggie, though big gov wants $6.00 a pack.
Have a good night.
whats even more disturbing is how patients are being evaluated for their value to society. the va is forever asking me about my relationship with my sons and even if i have a romantic interest. they are implying that they will not spend money on me unless my demise affects a number of people. its rather scary because if an older person doesnt have much money chances are they dont have adult children lovingly hanging around them. i answered 100 yes or no questions for the va recently. too dam many of them kept referring back to whether i had a belief system or not. i think christians may be getting preferential treatment in this country..
When our beloved Newfoundland had bone cancer we were able to euthanize her to put her out of pain. We weren't able to do the same for a human.
As people have pointed out, if its too easy, as it is with animals, it will be misused- as it is with animals.
You also have Christian viewpoints of God is the giver and taker of life.
There is also a point that humans (many times) have some form of health insurance. There are times when myself and other family members have felt that patients are many times prolonged because insurance is paying pretty well. Medical technology has been a blessing and a curse. Many patients who would have passed from a stroke, heart attack or cancer decades ago have been saved -- only to live more years and develop dementia, Alzheimers, etc. and slowly lose all touch with reality. We keep older people alive to have a growing population of elderly people who are sacred, confused, etc.
You also have groups that believe people should be kept alive forever pretty much to the point of life support for eternity.
So there are many facets to this issue.
This does not kill them, it keeps them comfortable and calm as they transition. It is reasonable and humane.
Hospice is a frequent topic of discussion on Aging Care.