Euthanasia and Ageism

Abstract

It is clear that old people do not necessarily lose their autonomy as they age and nor should they lose their rights to make their own decisions, including the right to request euthanasia or assisted suicide, if the Law of the jurisdiction allows it. However, there are also vulnerable elderly and there is a concern that frail older people could be coerced into ending their lives because of their fears about being a burden on either their family or society. This presentation analyses how ageism can influence the formation of the desire to die in the elderly, especially in those of greater physical and/or mental frailty