Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying
Protecting Autonomy and Assessing Decision-making Capacity: Discussion
Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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Professor Doherty said that older women have higher rates of depression. Is that compared to men or younger women? In general, are older women at the top of the scale? That is what she is saying, okay.
She also said that there is an increase in older women seeking assisted dying. She mentioned a number of places including Oregon and Switzerland. It also tallies with something said by someone from the Netherlands. Ms Lazar said that palliative care, disability services and support for the elderly and lonely are separate issues. Does Dr. Doherty think they are separate issues? It was said that a lot of work needs to be done, proper mental health supports are needed and there is a deficit in social care provision. I was in a house in Kerry last night where the people are trying to access psychiatric care. There are long waiting lists. It was not for older people. With the deficits in social care provision, is it right to press ahead without the increased supports or are they separate issues?