Yes, the timing is the most challenging part of it. One has to be able to be intact mentally to make the independent decision and to go forward with the act, which is hard is the main reason, or one of the reasons, is losing one's mental faculties. The people in the documentary I linked who went through with assisted death had progressive physical illnesses, but were mentally entirely competent. It is a trap with dementia.

I also think that often when someone is already seriously ill (even if the condition does not affect their cognition), often their outlook on the whole thing changes. Maybe fear or survival instinct, I don't know. In my mind as I imagine now, I would not want to wait as late as having to go to hospice, but who knows what I will want when in the situation? My father had both progressive physical illness and dementia, and while most of the time he was saying he no longer wanted to live and just hoped for death every day, he was somehow quite against the idea of ending it at his own will.

I do like the idea of maybe talking with a knowledgeable social worker about the practical parts of it, like here today suggested. Basically, to have information about the possibilities, how the administrative parts go exactly, etc. The emotional part - that is hard to get help with, I believe... it's not the kind of being sui due to depression, and it is a most intimate, individual choice.

I have had many similar thoughts and fantasies to what awkwardlyyours described. What I like about the official procedure though is the environment where it takes place, with full awareness and agreement of everyone around.

I actually did discuss assisted death with both of my Ts, and this was something they both handled well and seemed supportive of the possibility of such a choice. It was not discussed in the context of any personal wish I had, just as a theoretical topic and in relation to my father's illness. I don't know if any T would support a client in executing it.