Re: “Endnotes” by Gail Bell (April, 2009).

There are thousands of patients in nursing homes with no quality of life lingering on indefinitely awaiting the blessing of death to release them from their despair. If ever I am unfortunate enough to be placed in the same situation, I hope there is a sympathetic doctor around to end my life in a dignified and peaceful manner.

If I could afford the trip I would travel to Mexico and get some Nembutal just in case of need.

I am an 83-year-old World War II veteran and it would give me great peace of mind if I could get medical assistance to die in a dignified manner if I should lose quality of life. It is my firm opinion that enforced prolonged life when quality of life is lost is a fate worse than death; I fear degeneration far more than I fear death. It is inhumane to leave those who have lost quality of life, whether it be a terminal illness or deterioration that leaves them confined to a nursing home, suffering from dementia, incontinence, and/or Alzheimer’s.

As Nembutal is unavailable I would strongly recommend that everyone prepare an Advance Directive and appoint an Enduring Guardian, so that he/she has the authority to liaise with the doctor in the preparation of a health-care management plan when quality of life is lost. The health-care management plan should provide that you not be subjected to any medical intervention or treatment aimed at prolonging life, and that any distressing symptoms (including any caused by lack of food or fluid) are fully controlled by appropriate analgesic or other treatment, even though this may shorten life. For those wishing to avoid prolonged confinement in a nursing home and distress to loved ones, I would strongly recommend that they take this action whilst they are still of sound mind.

In conclusion let me make it clear that it is not my intention to impose my views on anyone; however, I consider that euthanasia should be an option for those who have documented their wishes in an Advance Directive.