Ableism, ageism, and elderly abuse equal a dangerous landscape to introduce assisted suicide and euthanasia into. The sense of being a burden is one of the top three reasons for choosing assisted suicide and euthanasia internationally. Will this dangerous phenomenon now raise its ugly head in New Zealand?
Troubling ingredients in the mix
More than 80% of people using euthanasia or assisted suicide internationally are over the age of 65.
One in 10 older people in New Zealand experience some kind of elder abuse – nearly 80% of that abuse is psychological. Most of the time family members are the abusers.
International evidence shows that those considering assisted suicide or euthanasia are very aware of the sense of being a burden on others.
Together, these factors create a concerning picture. The End of Life Choice Act’s safeguard to ensure a patient isn’t being pressured or coerced into choosing assisted suicide or euthanasia: Doctors must “do their best” to detect it.
Ask Queen’s Counsel barrister Grant Illingworth if that protection is robust? His answer; “It’s not even a measurable standard. It’s entirely subjective and legally abysmal.”
It’s not that older people are weak – it’s that they are being threatened.
Everyone deserves dignity
Pressure to consider euthanasia or assisted suicide as the best option can come blatantly – a threat from family members to speed the dying process along for financial gain. Or, more commonly as a veiled and subtle message of “you are a burden”. Both can propel a person towards choosing ‘assisted death’.
Caring for elderly and sick members of our community is at times challenging. Something that the person on the receiving end is acutely aware of. None of us wants to create difficulty for loved ones, but as we age our bodies weary and we begin to become reliant on others for daily tasks. This is normal and natural, yet it’s something that can make an independent and strong person feel very vulnerable.
Consistently more than 60% of those that use assisted suicide in Oregon, are concerned about being a burden on family, friends and caregivers. It’s often an issue that is at the forefront of people’s minds as their health deteriorates – which can make it a small step for the ‘right to die’ to become a ‘duty to die’.
Let’s get one thing clear – every person is valuable, not only because of what they can currently contribute, but because of who they are. Every person should be loved, respected and cared for until the day they die. That is true death with dignity.
“The reality is that doctors will know little or nothing about a patient’s family situation, let alone the complex dynamics within their families that might lead to coercion or pressure. Under this law it will be extremely hard to pin law-breaking on any abusive family members or doctors.”
Detecting direct and hidden coercion
Under the End of Life Choice Act, the job of ensuring there is no pressure being put on someone to consider assisted suicide or euthanasia falls entirely on a doctor’s shoulders.
There’s no requirement for a doctor to assess for coercion, but if they suspect it is present the only tool the legislation provides is they may ask the patient directly. Doctors can also ask the patient for a second reference to speak with – but the patient can decline this, and the doctor can only speak to people the patient has approved. There is no guarantee that any recommended person(s) will know the patient well enough to determine if they are being pressured. Even worse, the person(s) may well be involved in coercing the patient themselves.
By anybody’s standard that’s not a comprehensive check. It’s one that is highly likely to miss pressure or coercion, or be very easily controlled and manipulated.
Are you feeling pressured or being manipulated into considering assisted suicide or euthanasia? Or are you concerned about someone you know? We can help.
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