Peace of mind move to enjoy life’s bonus years

THERE is an ongoing cycle of spirited publicity regarding people who wish to end their lives peacefully but are denied as the law cannot define the area of any needed assistance. The number of people wishing an end to this uncertainty can only rise as the aged population as a group is already increasing.

In 1992 at the age of 63 I was looking forward to retirement in August 1994 after the usual 51 working years. At 73 I was very happily enjoying retirement and at 83 I was still in rude health and enjoying retirement.

By the autumn of 2012, for no obvious reason, I suddenly felt vulnerable and in November a lifesaving dash to A&E was my introduction to one week of excellent hospital care and 11 months of treatment and checks before normality was resumed.

The 51 working years were notable for one overriding feature; this was to be totally self-motivated and the five companies worked for over this time fortunately allowed me to operate this way without hint or hindrance.

My greatest horror is to be physically incapacitated but mentally aware of events around me and to this end an Advance Directive was obtained from our solicitors with the instructions to be acted upon if two medical practitioners are of the same mind.

If the Advance Directive and/or the LCP could be accepted into the patient’s file for definite action at the appropriate time then the bonus years could be in peace of mind and totally enjoyed.

The recent publicity regarding abuse in care homes, and only 15 minutes attention in home care visits, along with the increasing number of the elderly needing care, only serves to re-enforce the need for official action to enable peace of mind to be achieved.