Member

Very small matters can tip people into making a decision for death. Sometimes, people just give up living because their circumstances feel so difficult to them, and they may feel, in this situation, that they have no option but to opt for assisted death, when they do not want to burden their family and friends with excessive costs, including the cost of care homes. Some of these costs may seem trivial to those of us who do not have to count our money so carefully but, for those who are very poor, as I once was, getting to hospital or a hospice to visit someone who needs to be visited and whom you wish and need to visit can be very difficult. It can cost money that you do not have, and it can take time. People may have young children, and those children need to be looked after. There are all sorts of complications which ensue from the situation in which terminal illness occurs. People may not have a car, and things such as fares and buying coffee, lunch and a gift all cost money. For poor people, given the current cost of living, every penny counts. Money spent on hospital visits and other expenses is not available for food and heat. The terminally ill person may know this and may wish to spare their family.