Ellen Vos, a 42-year-old television maker, recounts her mother’s decision to undergo euthanasia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Dineke Vos-Gerrits, Ellen’s mother, passed away on February 5, 2024, after choosing to end her life before the disease progressed to a point where she no longer recognized her loved ones. Ellen expresses immense pride in her mother’s strength and determination to maintain control over her life.

Dineke received her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2021 at the age of 69. She drafted a living will immediately, expressing her desire to avoid becoming demented and no longer recognizing her grandchildren. This wish stemmed from her fear of becoming a burden on her family and being confined to a closed ward in a nursing home.

Ellen recalls her mother’s active involvement in their lives even after the diagnosis. However, Dineke began experiencing disorientation and memory lapses. She made the decision to pursue euthanasia after a vacation in Portugal in June 2023, where she felt her condition rapidly deteriorating. She chose February 5, the anniversary of her son Gijs’ death, as the date.

Dineke’s decision required the approval of four doctors, and she ensured that her family was supportive of her choice. Ellen shares a poignant memory of a weekend getaway her mother took with her granddaughter, Robin, shortly before her death. Despite the sadness surrounding her decision, Dineke remained courageous and cheerful, making the process easier for her loved ones.

Ellen also reflects on the earlier loss of her brother Gijs, who died in an accident when she was 13. She notes that her parents, while deeply affected by Gijs’ death, remained resilient and supportive, allowing their children to move forward with their lives while still honoring his memory. Ellen finds solace in the possibility that her mother and brother are now reunited.