Family matters - A social systems perspective on physician-assisted suicide and the older adult

Physician-assisted suicide is one of the most controversial issues facing h ealth care providers today, provoking contentious debate that spans medical , psychological, legal, religious, and moral realms. Despite the wealth of theories and opinions proffered, most of this work focuses on concepts of i ndividual competence and autonomy, with little or no attention paid to the dynamics of family or other psychosocial systems likely to affect an indivi dual's decision to ask for assistance in ending his or her life. Moreover, concepts such as "autonomy" typically are examined from a legal perspective without consideration of the late-life developmental themes confronting ol der adults and their families, that is, the stage of life cycle transition and the predictable family stresses that typically accompany serious illnes s.