There are two things guaranteed in life – Death and Taxes.

In Dementia there is Death and Fees.

It may be controversial reader, but surely we have a right to a good death, if that is our wish.

It is something that Doctors should discuss with us and that we should discuss with our families. We should be able to put our wishes in writing, knowing that our wishes will be respected.

The The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) states that people with all Disabilities should have equal access to services, Dementia is a Cognitive Disability according to the United Nations, but does not have equal access to services.

Guidance published by the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2016 emphasised the importance of recognising patients’ human rights in relation to decisions about CPR and end-of-life care.

The guidance recognised that “provisions particularly relevant to decisions about attempting CPR include the right to life (Article 2) [and] the right to be free from inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 3)”.

People living with Dementia, pay for end of life care where some other chronic terminal diseases/disabilities get their end of life care free. Some conditions receive Palliative Care, with Dementia it is unlikely that you will.

As a person living with Dementia who has capacity, I cannot state in the legally binding section of my Lasting Power of Attorney, how and where I wish to die because the Court of Protection won’t accept it, what right do they have to refuse my wishes.

I can only put my choices in the request section which medical professionals do not have to respect.

Why can I not choose, it is my life and therefore my death.

Why should I be subjected to and abused by the pathway of BPSD, the proposed Liberty Protection Safeguards and the new BMA guidance on dehydrating, starving and sedating people to death.

I want to choose where to spend and end my last days.

Some prefer to die in a care home, some at home, that is their right and either way they and their families should be supported practically, emotionally and financially as they would with other chronic terminal diseases.

Everyone should have the opportunity, whilst they still have capacity, whether in good or ill-health, to chose their preferences for a good death, no one should have the right to decide for us or ignore our wishes.

Resources

The case for and against assisted dying

Arguments Against the Legal Right to Die and Death With Dignity

Arguments in Favor of Right-to-Die Legislation

Doctors ‘need to start early conversation with patients about dying’

Discussing end-of-life care in dementia

Do We Have A Right To A ‘Good Death’?

A Good Death is an Important Part of a Good Life

Should we be able to choose our own death?

Talking about death isn’t easy, but doctors have to get better