Voluntary assisted dying supported by 86 per cent of older Australians, says survey

While over-50s are big supporters of voluntary assisted dying, a new survey from National Seniors finds the older they get the more likely they are to oppose it.

The online survey undertaken in February and March found 86 per cent either supported or strongly supported the option of voluntary assisted dying for those with a terminal illness.

Almost nine in 10 Australians over 50 support voluntary assisted dying for people with terminal illnesses, and two-thirds continued to support VAD even if a person’s illness wasn’t terminal, a new survey finds.

But a significant number of the 3500 older Australians polled by National Seniors Australia expressed concerns about being coerced into a decision to end their life by family members or care organisations. And the older they were, the less likely they were to support VAD.

The online survey undertaken in February and March found 86 per cent either supported or strongly supported the option of voluntary assisted dying for those with a terminal illness.

On the question of whether voluntary assisted dying should be available to those with a non-terminal illness but who met other criteria that would make them eligible for VAD under current Victorian legislation, 67 per cent strongly agreed or agreed.

“Older respondents (70 years and older) were more likely to oppose VAD in both scenarios than seniors in younger age brackets (50-69 years),” said the report, The Quality of Death – Senior Australians’ Views on Voluntary Assisted Dying.

National Seniors Australia chief executive John McCallum said the issue was one of great importance to older Australians.

National Seniors Australia chief executive John McCallum.

“Our members asked us to do this survey and with our increasing ability to keep people alive at all ages this issue has to be discussed and addressed in the community,” Prof McCallum said.

“Better information on this and a balanced community conversation on VAD is needed. We must respect people’s views on both sides of this debate, which we know are aligned with some deeply held values.”

Voluntary assisted dying is currently available in Victoria and Western Australia provided specific medical criteria is met.

Tasmania and South Australia have passed VAD legislation, but have not yet commenced a program. Queensland is due to debate VAD legislation next month.

The written responses to the National Seniors survey covered some controversial territory, with some respondents arguing that VAD should be made accessible to all seniors over a certain age, whether ill or not.

They said the loss of independence and control associated with neurodegenerative conditions, or even the emotional suffering from loneliness could justify the use of VAD.

But there were many who were opposed to VAD under any circumstances.

“A common anti-VAD argument was that services such as palliative care, aged care and mental health supports should be improved to ensure there are viable alternatives to VAD for suffering people,” the report said.

“Anti-VAD commenters often based their arguments on religious views, such as the belief that humans do not have the right to end life. Many commenters … sought clarification (on) safeguards to prevent a suffering person from being coerced into a VAD decision by family members, care services or society at large.”