Making a choice

Hats off to Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan for raising the ugly head of assisted dying (your report, 13 May). I fully agree that those of us who want to should be able to die at a time of our choosing, surrounded by our nearest and dearest, when we become too ill or infirm. We should be able to say, while we are of sound mind, that this is our preferred option and our relatives should be able to support our choice. It must now be a simple, painless process, as Dignitas has shown.

The media is increasingly reporting the ill-treatment of the elderly in many care homes by unmotivated and unsuitable staff. As more of us get older and live longer, the prospect of finding suitable staff becomes even more remote. The government moans constantly about the cost of keeping the elderly, so here, surely, is a suitable solution for those of us who do not wish to live forever.

MARY DOUGLAS

Glendearg
Galashiels