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Comment by zmgsabst | Hacker News Reader

I’ve had multiple family members die with Alzheimer’s; can I sign up when young and lucid to die early if I get diagnosed?

The sheer horror of forgetting your children and grandchildren sickens me — and I have to say, those relatives were gone long before they were gone.

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I don't have a lot of experience with Alzheimer's, but in the couple of cases I've observed, though not from very close, the patient didn't seem to be suffering or unhappy at the end. There was a brief intermediate period of paranoia, in which they obviously were unhappy, but then they settled down into a state of complete doolallitude in which they were an expensive burden for professional carers but seemed quite cheerful. That makes the euthanasia question a bit harder.

In Spain this is possible. It is called “testamento vital” or “documento de voluntades anticipadas”, and the goal is just that: to declare, in a legally binding way, your wish to receive or not receive certain kinds of medical treatments in the future, in case you can no longer decide when the time comes. This includes euthanasia in cases where it is legally allowed. Alzheimer is one of such cases.

> I’ve had multiple family members die with Alzheimer’s; can I sign up when young and lucid to die early if I get diagnosed?

In the Netherlands (and I guess other countries), you have to arrange this very early (if you know your family has Alzheimers, like mine). Once you have symptoms or even are diagnosed, you cannot decide anymore. And you'll end up in a home, knowing nothing and no-one and often drugged up, until you die of natural causes (although the last part you don't notice anyway; your family does).

Being diagnosed should not prevent you from making an advance directive as long as you are in full possession of your mental faculties. That’s how it works in Spain at least. In certain cases this may involve a medical evaluation.

We had some issues in the family with this, but yes, it might be because the diagnoses was already (perceived to be) too late. I would recommend doing it young if it's a familiar/genetic issue. If not, of course you cannot do that, so you try what you can.

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