Uncovering the "Hidden" Relationship Between Old Age Assisted Dying and the Ancient Concept of Senicide

To uncover a previously unrecognized link between the ancient cultural phenomenon of senicide, i.e. the practice of killing the elderly, and old age assisted dying (AD).

Using an interpretative-phenomenological approach, the background of both phenomena is reviewed.

Senicide is based on utilitarian and altruistic judgements of the society and/or by older individuals themselves that they are no longer contributing members of the community. As a consequence, it is considered justifiable that the life of the elderly person should be intentionally ended. Similarly, in some cases of old age AD, those who express thoughts to die might feel a responsibility to relieve their family and society of the burden of their existence. When these aspects would take excess capacity in the decision-making process, AD might be considered a modern variant of senicide. Then, the question arises about how self-determined and autonomous the wish to die actually is and how much it is influenced by external pressures.

The counseling team should openly address these motives to enable those with intentions to die and their families to engage in a more comprehensive decision-making process of AD.