The guidelines for performing euthanasia on people with severe dementia have been relaxed a little so that patients can be helped to die even if they incapable of making their current feelings known, the justice and health ministries said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
However, they will have to have signed a euthanasia declaration with their family doctor before they became seriously ill to be considered for help in dying, broadcaster Nos reports.<\/p>\n
The current guidelines require people to be able to make it clear they wish to die, something some people with severe dementia and resultant physical problems are unable to do.<\/p>\n
Written request \u2018In such cases, a doctor may carry out euthanasia, even if the patient cannot make this clear by word or gesture.<\/p>\n
But there must be a written euthanasia request which the patient completed earlier,\u2019 the new guidelines state.<\/p>\n
Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands under strict conditions.<\/p>\n
For example, the patient must be suffering unbearable pain and the doctor must be convinced the patient is making an informed choice. The opinion of a second doctor is also required.<\/p>\n
Ed’s Note:<\/strong> for more about the innovative ways by which the Dutch address end of life choices in the context of dementia see:<\/p>\n