Old age rational suicide

Old age rational suicide

Sociology Compass. 2017;11:e12456. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12456 Abstract In the societal debate surrounding voluntary euthanasia or physician‐assisted suicide, there is a concern that older people will be left exposed to any legislation, subject to either faint suggestion or outright coercion from familial or professional carers. Whilst it is critical to take account of older people’s pot...

[Suicide and suicide attempts in old age].

Rational Suicide, Euthanasia, and the Very Old: Two Case Reports

Suicide amongst the very old is an important public health issue. Little is known about why older people may express a wish to die or request euthanasia and how such thoughts may intersect with suicide attempts. Palliative care models promote best care as holistic and relieving suffering without hastening death in severely ill patients; but what of those old people who are tired of living and m...

Qualitative and Quantitative Methods of Suicide Research in Old Age

This paper examines the merits of the qualitative and quantitative methods of suicide research in the elderly using two studies identified through a free search of the Pubmed database for articles that might have direct bearing on suicidality in the elderly. The studies have been purposively selected for critical appraisal because they meaningfully reflect the quantitative and qualitative divid...

Rational suicide and dementia.

In this opinion piece, Davis proposes that suicide is a reasonable response to impending dementia and that the move towards pre-symptomatic diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) now makes rational suicide a more feasible option for those so inclined. Three broad reasons are proposed for earlier death through rational suicide: to conserve financial assets; to reduce family burden of care; and to...