Selfish idea

Carol Cooper-McCord seems compassionate when she describes appalling conditions in a rest home and suggests that the only dignified solution for elderly patients is to ‘‘end their suffering" by allowing them to choose euthanasia.

She mentions lack of hygiene, few visitors and poor medication handling. But in her haste to give people "choice" she fails to mention obvious alternatives such as simply improving the care and treatment in rest homes, involving families, and encouraging patients to live as fully and as comfortably as possible.

It is extremely frightening that some people advocate killing off our elderly when it has become too difficult or inconvenient for us to provide dignified care for them.

This is not progressive or mature. It’s selfish and inhuman. ANNELISE SCHROEDER Featherston