A 72-year-old woman has sparked off a debate in Dutch society about how far doctors should go in treating elderly patients. In an article in one of the major Dutch dailies, she wrote that more and more 85 and 90-year-old friends, family members and neighbours are not being allowed to die of disease or illness.
Marie Louise Cuijpers gave five examples she knew of, including a 90-year-old woman who suffered a stroke. Everyone was convinced that she would die, but she was hospitalised and treated. The woman recovered but was no longer able to speak, walk or eat on her own and was sent to a nursing home, where she remained for three years. She came down with pneumonia and was treated for that too. Finally she passed away.
The cost of medical care in the Netherlands is rising sharply. It costs three times more, for instance, to treat people over the age of 65. So when is enough enough?
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I am sick and tired of chronical disease, but to admit it or be caught in the search for methods to end my life would mean that I will be stopped and forced in a situation where I am completely helpless and under constant surveillance.
Sounds to me like you want to start playing god. Why target the old,sick, why not the handicap or those with diabetic? I agree with Hiram1. If you want to do it to your family and yourself, go for it but leave everyone else alone. I for one have already told my family when I want the plug pulled... in the mean time if I get sick, I would like to know that my doctor is there for me to see that I will get better.
Young people have strokes and never fully recover. They, too, get pneumonia and pass away. Eventually everyone passes away. Therefore, why don't we just pull the plug on everyone who has a stroke, cancer, HIV, and ...? I almost said "the unborn child" but then we already do that by the millions and without even without blinking an eye. See how easy it is to lose one's empathty for life. It all starts because of the pain and suffering one feels for others but then it turns into "It costs three times more, for instance, to treat people over the age of 65. So when is enough enough?" When? Enough is enough when it is someone else who is getting the plug pulled. How about when they want to pull the plug on your parents and family members and even you? If you want the plug pulled on you and yours, go for it but don't play god and pull it on someone because of their age. Age limits can always be lowered!
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