ABSTRACT Tiredness of life has been considered a valid criterion for granting euthanasia, particularly in older adults with multiple comorbidities. An 80- year-old divorced man living alone, Mr A, with no history of psychiatric disease, went by his own initiative to the emergency room where he expressed the wish to be euthanized, alleging the tired of life argument. Social determinants were identified as the cause of disappointment. He was admitted to a social facility and, almost a year later, has been doing well. Challenges related to specificities of psychiatric diseases and pathologizing context-dependent normal negative emotions may allow an easier assessment of suffering as intolerable. Furthermore, the acceptance of the tired of life argument for PAD, when no incurable and refractory disease is present, expands the inclusion criteria to virtually anyone who might be aided to die, exposing particularly vulnerable populations, such as older adults. Older adults with comorbidities may lead meaningful lives with appropriate investment and support. Autonomy should not exempt the State from its duty of multidimensional care and support
Fonseca et al. (Thu,) studied this question.