A retired judge who has PD argues that Parkinson's patients should have the right to end their lives.
I am not advocating for or against, but I would be lying if I said I'd never wondered about it (if/when my PD becomes unbearable).
Meanwhile let's hope for more treatments to alleviate and better yet cure Parkinson's!
I guess this is what is referred to in the debate as the thin end of the wedge.PD next. Then ? The depressed...the unhappy poor...? Then why age restrict at 18? Where could it end, given the right political and social conditions.
Surely those proposals could be judged on their merits when/if they are actually made, rather than used as a hypothetical scare tactic to prevent far more reasonable proposals being considered?
Some people don't like to look at the direction where immediate events might logically lead given circumstances. That's up to you.
It's horrendous disease but God forbids us from suicide. Let's pray to Allah to make life easy for us
Especially if you still have assets that can be stripped by the residential & healthcare industry, insurance and the government... Since they won't let your relatives and beneficiaries have it, best thing to do is put it in an irrevocable charitable trust before you "cash in," so to speak, because if you don't, all the parties I mentioned will, with the help of laws they have already lobbied and enacted, claw it back out of anybody who inherits from you. Especially those who live in the US where there is a retroactive five-year claw back law.
Only five years? In the UK it's officially seven...though they will go even further back if they think they can prove it someone has been disposing of their assets. It's despicable. Elder care in this s country is both of extremely poor quality yet very expensive when compared to other countries. Prison (certainly an "open" prison) probably represents both better care and (depending on the offence) is certainly cheaper!
That lady who just got her sentence extended for protesting "Just Stop Oil" may be smarter than she looks!
Last year I woman on this site said she had PD and planned to kill herself. Many of the responses were positive and supportive but some were not.
The new Almodovar movie is showing how it’s done. I’m still not convinced that taking one’s own life is a good idea.
That said revising your health directive is a an alternative.
Qaz,
Revising my health directive has been on the "to do" list for a year. I want to put in wording that asks that the totality of my remaining quality of life be considered when administering extraordinary care. For example, if in a few years, given current progression, I had a significant accident that had a relatively high potential to further restrict my activity, I would like my family and care team to feel comfortable taking that "off ramp". I have no idea how to word this in a way that can hold up. Perhaps AI can help!
Advance Health Directive for [Your Name]
Introduction
I, [Your Name], residing at [Your Address], being of sound mind and judgment, declare this Advance Health Directive to express my wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that I am unable to communicate my decisions due to the progression of Parkinson’s disease or any other medical condition.
I understand that medical advancements may change the options available to me in the future, and I trust my family, medical team, and appointed healthcare proxy to act in accordance with both my expressed wishes and my best interests.
Guiding Principles
1. Totality of Quality of Life Consideration
• My priority is maintaining a quality of life that allows for meaningful interaction with my loved ones and engagement in activities that provide me with dignity and personal fulfillment.
• If a medical intervention, including but not limited to resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, or major surgery, is likely to result in a significantly reduced capacity for independent movement, cognition, or communication, I request that my healthcare team and family weigh the totality of my remaining quality of life before proceeding.
• If a proposed intervention would likely lead to a condition where I am unable to meaningfully engage with my environment or where my suffering outweighs my ability to experience life with dignity, I request that comfort-focused care be prioritized over life-prolonging measures.
2. Guidance for Acute Medical Events
• If I experience a severe accident, infection, or other medical event that is likely to significantly reduce my already limited mobility, cognition, or ability to engage in daily activities, I ask my healthcare proxy and care team to consider this an appropriate “off-ramp” from aggressive treatment.
• I do not wish to receive extraordinary or invasive measures to extend my life at all costs if the expected outcome is significant further disability, suffering, or loss of autonomy.
3. Palliative and Comfort Care Preference
• In the event that my condition reaches a stage where curative treatments are either futile or would result in suffering disproportionate to the benefits, I request a transition to palliative and hospice care.
• I want my medical team to prioritize pain relief, comfort, and dignity, even if such measures may indirectly shorten my lifespan.
4. Decision-Making Authority
• I appoint [Healthcare Proxy Name] as my healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on my behalf, in accordance with the principles outlined in this directive.
• If [Proxy Name] is unavailable, I appoint [Alternate Proxy Name] to serve in this role.
5. Reaffirmation of Autonomy
• I affirm that this directive reflects my considered wishes and should guide all medical decision-making on my behalf.
• If disagreements arise, I request that my values and quality-of-life considerations, as outlined in this directive, take precedence over default life-prolonging measures.
Legal Considerations
This directive is made voluntarily and after thoughtful consideration. I revoke any prior health directives that conflict with the intent of this document.
Signed: _______________________
Date: _________________________
Witness 1: _____________________
Witness 2: _____________________
Hmmmm. “Capacity for independent movement”. This would have to be removed.
The problem is one of the initial symptoms can be depression and the drugs like ssri and levodopa drugs can cause suicidal ideation. My husband has tried to kill himself when on these drugs. The slow release madopar left him so disabled he couldn’t even go to the toilet by himself or get onto a bed. It seemed grim.
But now he is doing really well and is very happy. After stopping the drugs his severe disability quickly reversed and he is back to the minor symptoms he first had 6 years years ago when diagnosed less the depression and anxiety and constipation and fatigue.
Life is a series of our own choices which bring us to where we are today. If ever I get to the point where I can not control my own suffering, I will Definitely choose medical assisted dying. I will not torture my family as they helplessly watch me suffer.
Just be aware things like Dignitas are not a spur of the moment decision. I've spoken to them and they told me that apart from the eye watering cost, their own checks and balances can take up to a year, and a lot of the "work" that needs to be done, like providing medical reports etc, falls on the client's shoulders, meaning a lot of writing or typing which is obviously not one of our strengths! Even when everything is agreed in principle as far as it can be before travelling to actually begin the procedure can take up to a month.
I am fully for it for myself. I however take a cautious approach to airing my views about this as I am still a practising doctor. I have a nonagerian mother so I won't do anything while she is still alive
Agree 100%! My life. I want to decide when and before this destroys my existence with all the pain and complications. My family deserves better. Me too!
I know this is a delicate topic. For religious people, they may not be allowed to choose. I do not like the end of life money grab and if this meant years in an institution where someone was taking care of all my intimate needs, “No thanks.” I think MAIDS for PD is a really great idea.
We have that in Canada - MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) When I first was diagnosed I applied for consideration and it was granted. So if things become unbearable I can pick the time. It's reassuring
I truly don’t understand many of these comments. my life is my own to choose. well it may be the case but many of you believe faith that doesn’t allow this and that certainly is your choice. But for people who have decided that their quality of life is so low they no longer wish to live I think for those who feel that way should definitely have the right to make that decision.If they do make that decision then I really think that any medical professional, who is willing to help them should be allowed to do that.
may or may not support the bill but I think with economics of dependency/ care taking diving deeper, it is a stark reality. coupled with mental/ physical pain and sense of neglect by society /near and dear ones- leads to people asking for this sad but practical and less painful way out. There should be no administrative or legal hassles to make the matter worse for affected person.
Indoor Group Cycling for PD
Rigidity Dominant Parkinson's Disease (Rigid PD)
PD subgroups and subtypes : preliminary comments, initial bibliography
Low Magnesium and PD
