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4meAndyou · F
My mother died of dementia. She died in hospice.
Now, this is a little known fact about assisted dying in the USA...but if the person who holds the power of attorney and medical power of attorney for the person in hospice signs a release, stating that they no longer want the hospice staff to take extraordinary measures to sustain the life of the patient, and once the patient has degenerated to a vegetative state...the hospice STOPS GIVING THE PATIENT WATER.
I found this to be extremely horrifying. My BROTHER had taken over power of attorney at that point, and it was HE who decided to end my mothers life. He said to me, "You don't want her to live as a vegetable, do you?" In fact, a vegetative state DOES have thought processes...just...not many in a dementia patient.
So...my mother DIED OF THIRST at my brothers request.
I do NOT think people with Dementia have enough sane thought processes left to make the decision to voluntarily end their own lives.
Now, this is a little known fact about assisted dying in the USA...but if the person who holds the power of attorney and medical power of attorney for the person in hospice signs a release, stating that they no longer want the hospice staff to take extraordinary measures to sustain the life of the patient, and once the patient has degenerated to a vegetative state...the hospice STOPS GIVING THE PATIENT WATER.
I found this to be extremely horrifying. My BROTHER had taken over power of attorney at that point, and it was HE who decided to end my mothers life. He said to me, "You don't want her to live as a vegetable, do you?" In fact, a vegetative state DOES have thought processes...just...not many in a dementia patient.
So...my mother DIED OF THIRST at my brothers request.
I do NOT think people with Dementia have enough sane thought processes left to make the decision to voluntarily end their own lives.
