[lynx23]

Wow, so you just need to be old enough, and then people like you will come along and declare that you're no longer cognitively able to decide anything, and therefore everything you said is moot? Disrespectful paragraphs like yours are one of the reasons why I would prefer the ability to die on demand, inst4ead of being subjected to whatever other people deem appropriate because I am supposedly no longer able to decide for my own. I'd really prefer to go, instead of being subjected to people like you.

[brandall10]

Dementia made my Richard Dawkins idolizing, ethnically Jewish grandfather convert to Christianity at the end of his life… because his girlfriend’s family was that way. He had 4 strokes over a 2 year period and lived the last 4 years of his life as a smiley vegetable with advanced Alzheimer’s. The prior 76 years had been spent as a cynic who would go on hour long rants about the damage religion had done to the world. It was such an odd situation that I had to correct the record at his funeral.

[tgv]

Dementia is no joke. It becomes quite clear when people start losing their judgement. But from your reaction, it seems you have some misconceptions. My mother had dementia (and other problems). When it became too hard for her to bear, she indeed chose euthanasia, a choice she had made long before she started suffering from it, and died with dignity, surrounded by her loved ones. It is an opportunity I truly wish to be available to everyone who suffers from a deterioting condition.

[egeozcan]

My uncle has dementia and he wants to spend all his money on getting his car washed (he cannot drive anymore). Should his children honor his wishes or try to use his money for his own good?

I think you are being too aggressive in your cause for personal freedom and justice. I mean, I do understand where you are coming from but perhaps saying "I'd really prefer to go, instead of being subjected to people like you" goes a bit too far.

[lynx23]

I have a disability. Independence is a much more important topic to me then for most people that have independence as a given. Even though you might not like my attitude, I feel that way. The day I loose my independence, and other people are allowed to decide for me, I'd prefer to end it there. I realize this might feel very strange to you, but as said, you probably dont know what it means to fight for your independence and to be allowed to take your own decisions.

[squigz]

As someone with a disability as well, and who has had family members fall apart with dementia, I don't think this is a very good take.

Do you understand that most people, even in a stable state of mind, can't reasonably decide to just "end it there"? Let alone someone with advanced dementia... Maybe one day if society stops putting so much value on empty life and we can peacefully end it when it's time, but that day is likely far away.

[Beldin]

I think your uncle's case is a bit different of that from a world-famous author who has writings that he didn't publish, who wants those not published after he's gone.

As others have pointed out, if his children really thought this was important for his legacy and he only had the destructive wish due to dementia, they could have made the writings available without profiting from that.