3 Motivating Factors for People Considering PAS

As people grow older, certain losses of functions occur. This is something that is understood as a whole by society; the older we become, the more health needs to become a priority.

In the case of people with chronic or incurable diseases, function loss can be more dangerous and deadly. However, under certain guidelines, PAS consideration can alleviate the concerns of these people. These are three of the most common motivating factors people cite when thinking about assisted death.

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1. Illness-Related Experiences

This encompasses "feeling weak, tired, and uncomfortable," loss of function," or "pain or unacceptable side effects of pain medication." In an interview with 35 families, these reasons broken up into percentages is 69%, 66%, and 40%, respectively. Illness-related experiences can come from the illness itself, the medication to treat the illness, or both.

2. Threats to Sense of Self

When people are left to sit in bed and think, their minds wander. "Will I be the same? Can I still do everything I used to be able to do? How will this leave me?" Due to this, 63% of people say they loose sense of who they are, 60% wish to take back that sense of control over their life, and 14% had pre-existing beliefs in assisted death. It's comprehensible for people to seek out independence; I've never had to walk a mile in those shoes, so saying "I understand" feels out of my place, but in regards to human nature it makes sense.

3. Fears About the Future

Just because someone presents themselves old and gray does not mean the fear of dying is gone. Age doesn't mean acceptance of death. A total of 42% of people interviewed in a recent survey reported they were either somewhat afraid or very afraid of death. PAS can offer some alleviation and confidence for people who want to go out on their own terms. 60% of people said they were worried about the future quality of life without PAS, 49% had negative past experiences involving death, and 9% said they feared being a burden to others.

All in all, the notion that incurable or chronic disease people search for PAS due to pain alone isn't inaccurate, but there are many other nuances reasons people consider this option.