Just got diagnosed today with early onset dementia. I don’t want to be so far gone or drugged up to be functional. I would like to be a nurse for at the least the next ten years to help people. I would i don’t know what they call it nowadays but die with some at least dignity? Also if you have mental problems and are thinking about it in the US dial 988
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Just being pragmatic here, but the answer is yes, you can hire such a person. It would be a terrible, terrible idea. As for the other options you mentioned, just don’t do it. There’s no scenario where these methods don’t traumatize survivors, bystanders, first responders, and just random people – none of whom deserve that.
I know someone who came home to his partner’s dead lifeless body after a hanging. I know someone who found their child several days after an intentional overdose. I know a truck driver who suffered life threatening injuries as a result of avoiding someone trying to end their own life.
And I only saw some of the trauma suffered by those folks, I’m sure the real trauma was far, far deeper.
I hate to say this, but I’m not sure losing a loved one to dementia isn’t just as traumatic, and I think the trauma could be mitigated here by communicating with the people they love.
When/if I am diagnosed with a terminal disease I hope I will have a conversation with my wife, the rest of my family, and my closest friends about how I want to die and what a life worth living looks like to me. I like to think that I’ll leave this world by my own hand, hopefully surrounded by the people I love, or at least with their understanding and support. I don’t think that’s selfish.
OP, I think you have time to figure out what’s best for you and yours. We’re all terminal in the end. I wish you a slow progression, a meaningful life, and a dignified end someday.
Check to see if you are in a Country or State with Assisted death.
For Example:
Very sorry to hear this. I would feel the same as you, were it me. You didn’t mention but are you in the US? If so check which states have MAiD (medical assistance in dying)
OP, I’m very sorry that you and your loved ones are facing this, it’s a terribly daunting diagnosis. I’m 100% for bodily autonomy and believe this is entirely between you, possibly your supportive loved ones.
I won’t say you should drag out unnecessary suffering so others will be more comfortable. I feel you should make whatever decision is right for you. Please look into locations with death with dignity laws, and get something in writing pretty quickly. If you’re in the USA, you may have to plan for residence elsewhere, because our autonomy is rapidly being constricted.
Again, I’m terribly sorry, and wish you and your loved ones the best you can make of the situation.
Functional in what way. You’ll still be quite lucid well into the middle stage where you can’t work. It ain’t like it’s direct ticket from work to a locked memory care unit. You might even find life fulfilling along the way that your current anxieties can’t see. I’m an RN myself and I certainly understand seeing cases where you’d rather be dead than there, but there’s a lot of transition between.
In depends on what state you live in. loook up what states have legal euthanasia and what the residency requirements are to get it.
988 = 911
Take aim at neurologically beneficial nutrition (is what I’d do): fish oil, blueberries, lions mane extracts (there’s a host of nutrients besides these 3 that can help slow your dive (reverse it?) into dementia. Do the research, eat happy things. And exercise, sleep well & connect with good people. These are important for fostering good space for your neurons too. Love. As much as possible.).
If one truly desired to do something noble with no intention of coming back, there are some practical applications for said practices.
I don’t know in the US. Here in Spain we have euthanasia law for those cases, so it would be done at the hospital (I think) after proper psychiatric evaluation.
It’s different from country to country, in most places it’s illegal and your hired gun would be put to prison for murder.
In Switzerland I know they have the posibillity. It’s quite lengthy precedure, you need to show you’re terminally I’ll and there are meetings with psychiatrists and so on so that a overwhelming majority of people who start the process decide against it and for a natural death and only very few go through it.
Problem with dementia is the slow progression. When you can decide to end it you likely can think rationally enough that you should not and when you are at the point of it actually being bad enough you likely are not fit to decide that. Also just like a kid it can be fun to watch shows or eat tasty food or listen to or even sing songs. So if you are in a position to have a good enough environment for it it might be fine. So if your wealthy enough it might not be to bad. When you go physically down though it gets much worse as someone with physical issues can still have intellectual pursuits to enjoy. In the end the us at least does not allow any kind of death with dignity. Best you get is DNR orders and hospice which will allow you to die by not intervening. If your unconscious this can include withholding liquid till you die of thirst. No giving you to much barbituates though. That would be killing you and that would be a no no. But if you can’t drink you can be allowed to die after a few days as your organs shutdown.
I’m with you OP.
I have no desire to remain animated myself past the point when my quality of life isn’t worth the time. All I’ll say is you should make the best decision for you. It’s your life. It’s your time. It’s your health.
I know in some places and cases there is medically-assisted death. Not sure what goes into it, but there’s a whole process.
Terribly sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I wouldn’t want to go through that either.
Its legal here in Oregon but I know there are some restrictions especially surrounding cognition. Not sure if you could set something up now but “use” it later considering OP’s situation.
Yes, it depends a lot on the jurisdiction where you live. In general where permitted, it involves a process of legally establishing your wishes, receiving qualified counseling, and then obtaining the “means” to use according to your designated plan.
I mean i love you guys, and girls, i love my patients but not wanting to go thru it like Bruce Willis is and other people.
🫂🫂🫂
