I'm not entirely sure why this should be a debate, because obviously you can't just kill people because of the fact that you can't be bothered to look after them. That would be completely against their rights as a human being, and something that shouldn't be allowed.

The only time that I think that euthanasia is okay is when the suffering of the person is more being alive than being dead. If they are not able to move any muscle in their body, need around the clock care, and are not able to do anything that they want to with their life, then in my opinion it might be kinder to allow them to die. But they should always be able to make their feelings known before it is done, as you could get a lot of people making the decisions for completely the wrong reason, which is obviously something that needs to be avoided.

The fact that it might be expensive to look after somebody shouldn't even be a consideration. In my opinion, life shouldn't be about money, and this means that you need to ensure that people are looked after no matter what the cost.

It is true that it shouldn't be an issue but it really is. I worked in healthcare for a long time and you would be surprised at how many people want to have the patient simply overdosed on morphine or some comparable drug for reasons that do not make any sense. Many feel that having to care for an elderly or sick relative interferes with what they would rather be doing with their lives. There, unfortunately, are some doctors and nurses that are willing to titrate the narcotics (gradually increase)until the patient succumbs and dies. I was stunned at how often this happens and it is one reason I left the field.

jjmyles (06:21am Wed, Aug 28, 2013)

... There, unfortunately, are some doctors and nurses that are willing to titrate the narcotics (gradually increase)until the patient succumbs and dies ...

Is this not illegal? Should Geraldo be visiting your former employer?

jjmyles (06:21am Wed, Aug 28, 2013)

It is true that it shouldn't be an issue but it really is. I worked in healthcare for a long time and you would be surprised at how many people want to have the patient simply overdosed on morphine or some comparable drug for reasons that do not make any sense. Many feel that having to care for an elderly or sick relative interferes with what they would rather be doing with their lives. There, unfortunately, are some doctors and nurses that are willing to titrate the narcotics (gradually increase)until the patient succumbs and dies. I was stunned at how often this happens and it is one reason I left the field.

My great grandmother lived to be 102 years old. She lived on her own until she was 95, but then she broke her hip, and had to go into a nursing home. She was pretty well with it until 2 years before her death. She then began having a series of small strokes, which left her mind wandering, much like someone with dementia. My grandmother cared for her, going up to the nursing home 2 times a day.

Now it is my grandmother who has dementia. She is 87. Sometimes she gets angry, she throws things, she hits. Sometimes I can make her laugh, sometimes she makes me laugh.

It would never have occurred to anyone in my family to put either of them down. Ever.

Even though dementia is a horrible disease, I would rather have her here than not here.

But, I also know the toll a family member in a nursing home takes on a family.  My mother has aged 10 years in the last three. I worry about her health as we continue to care for grandma.

Her biggest fear? Having dementia herself.

jjmyles (05:18am Wed, Aug 28, 2013)

have grandma "put down" if you don't want to care for her or if it is expensive to provide for her.

How about we put our kids down when we get bored of them or they become too expensive? "Grandma" raised you or your significant other and deserves some respect.

How would you feel if your kids put you down? I'd be downright pissed off!!

jjmyles (06:21am Wed, Aug 28, 2013)

It is true that it shouldn't be an issue but it really is. I worked in healthcare for a long time and you would be surprised at how many people want to have the patient simply overdosed on morphine or some comparable drug for reasons that do not make any sense. Many feel that having to care for an elderly or sick relative interferes with what they would rather be doing with their lives. There, unfortunately, are some doctors and nurses that are willing to titrate the narcotics (gradually increase)until the patient succumbs and dies. I was stunned at how often this happens and it is one reason I left the field.

That's disgusting. Don't they have symptoms of overdose that make it a horrible and slow death?

Glad you left, that's honourable.

Lorigh (11:15am Sun, Sep  1, 2013)

Even though dementia is a horrible disease, I would rather have her here than not here.

This is a horrible question to ask, but is she really there if she has no memories? I'd be inclined to say yes. My grandma had dementia but before she died turned to my mum, who she hadn't recognized in years, and said "Robyn, Casey is such a beautiful baby boy". Mum found out she was pregnant a while later, with my brother Casey ha ha.

But some people will argue that the person is gone. I tend to think everything is still there, they just can't connect to it like they used to be able to.

Lorigh (11:15am Sun, Sep  1, 2013)

Her biggest fear? Having dementia herself.

Heard about peanut butter?
http://www.naturalnews.com/042457_peanut_butter_alzheimers_diagnosis_smell_test.html