Irene Mekel, an 82-year-old woman living in Castricum, Netherlands, is facing a difficult decision. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a year ago, she knows that her cognitive function is declining and that she will eventually reach a point where she can no longer live independently. Despite her love for her life in her cozy home by the sea, she understands that she will have to choose a date for her death sooner than she would like.
Ms. Mekel has made it clear that she never wants to live in a nursing home, believing it would strip her of her dignity. In the Netherlands, where medically assisted death is legal, she has applied for the option to end her life when her suffering becomes unbearable. However, finding a doctor willing to assist her in this way has proven challenging, as most doctors are hesitant to provide euthanasia for patients with dementia.
As her condition worsens, Ms. Mekel is frustrated by the lack of control she has over her own fate. Despite having an advance request document outlining her wishes for the end of her life, she knows that the decision ultimately lies in the hands of her doctors and caregivers. The process of determining the right time to end her life before she loses the capacity to consent is complex and emotionally taxing.
Facing the reality that her carefully laid plans may not come to fruition, Ms. Mekel is coming to terms with the fact that her wishes may not be fulfilled. With the support of her family and medical team, she is navigating the difficult journey of living with Alzheimer’s disease and grappling with the uncertainty of what lies ahead.