title: Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in dementia: A qualitative study of the views of former dementia carers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite media and academic interest on assisted dying in dementia, little is known of the views of those directly affected.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the views of former carers on assisted dying in dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a qualitative study using thematic analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 former carers of people with dementia were recruited through national dementia charities and participated in semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While many supported the individual's right to die, the complexity of assisted dying in dementia was emphasized. Existential, physical, psychological and psychosocial aspects of suffering were identified as potential reasons to desire an assisted death. Most believed it would help to talk with a trained health professional if contemplating an assisted death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health workers should be mindful of the holistic experience of dementia at the end of life. The psychological and existential aspects of suffering should be addressed, as well as relief of physical pain. Further research is required.
authors.affiliation: Enfield Integrated Learning Disabilities Service, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey NHS, London, UK.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Aimee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.affiliation: Alzheimer's Society Research Network and family carer, London, UK.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nurock
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK j.stott@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001293:Attitude to Death; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012297:Right to Die; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Dementia; carers; euthanasia; physician-assisted suicide