Couple Chooses to End Lives Together After Five Decades of Marriage
Jan and Els, married for nearly 50 years, chose to die together in June with the help of doctors in the Netherlands. This process, called duo-euthanasia, is legal but rare in the country.
The couple loved living in their campervan, traveling, and spending time on boats. Jan, 70, suffered from constant back pain, and Els, 71, had dementia. They felt their quality of life was no longer bearable.
Duo-euthanasia involves careful checks by doctors to ensure both partners genuinely wish to die. In 2023, only 66 people in the Netherlands chose this option.
Jan and Els’ decision was difficult for their son, but they spent their last moments together with family, sharing memories and listening to music.
Their story highlights the complex and emotional nature of assisted dying, especially when one partner has dementia.
For more details, listen to Linda Pressly’s documentary “Loving, Living and Dying Together” on BBC World Service or on BBC Sounds.
Credits: BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0jjq2vynq7o