Terry Pratchett: Choosing to die

The documentary explores themes around choice at end of life and the laws around assisted dying. Sir Terry meets people who have made different choices about their death. Particularly Terry meets Peter Smedley a man in his early 70s with motor neurone disease, a condition that would eventually make him unable to swallow or breathe. Terry joins Peter as he decides to die at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'Sir Terry asks important questions in this documentary and we applaud his decision to highlight this debate. While it is a debate that cannot be avoided, it must take place in a considered and measured context. Dialogue must also not be at the expense of focussing on good care. Living well with dementia is possible and it must remain the priority.

'People with dementia and their carers should be supported to make plans for the end of their lives, including the expression of preferences about how they would or wouldn't like to die. If people wish to nominate someone to make decisions about end of life care or to set out the types of treatment they do not wish to receive in an advance decision or living will then that should happen as the law allows. Alzheimer's Society does not support a change in the law on euthanasia or assisted dying.

'Communicating wishes around end of life care is important. Anyone with clear views about their future treatment should talk to those around them as early as possible and make plans using advanced directives and other appropriate means.'

Andrew Ketteringham
Director of External Affairs
Alzheimer's Society