Try: Assisted suicide refers to helping another individual end his or her life generally the act involves a physician or some person supplying the individual drugs or medication to end their own life the individual then takes the medication without assistance from anyone else assisted suicide is illegal in all states except oregon and washington individuals who assist someone with suicide where it is illegal are often guilty of a serious crime and can be charged with manslaughter elderly individuals who are severely ill may request assistance with ending their life it is important determine if mental illness or depression is the major reason for the elderly person wanting to end his or her life the elderly person’s capacity must be assessed before this decision can be made in addition it is important to know and understand the individual’s reasons for wanting to terminate his or her life information references

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Legal, Medical Physical

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Keywords: End of life planning mental capacity

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed