Cornella Visser-Mol

Born in a small village in the west of the Netherlands with one GP. I was one of four children. After secondary school I studied Medicine at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. After I got my degree I worked in a nursing home for two years. Later on I worked in Public Health with young children, which was very interesting, but I had other ambitions. I went back to work in Nursing Home Care and became a specialist in geriatric medicine, which I did for more than thirty years. I enjoyed many aspects of the job but I was mainly interested in care of patients with dementia and patients with palliative care needs. I have trained young doctors during this period and I decided to apply for a position as a SCEN doctor and I was accepted. It required a three day training course which equipped me with the skills necessary to carry out this work professionaly. I am member of the Dutch Policy Committee for SCEN of the Dutch Association of Medicine, which is called “KNMG” in Dutch. My specialism is Home Assessments by requests for euthanasia due to dementia. I am also a moderator for moral deliberation and I lead a review group for young doctors, working in nursing homes. Finally, to my surprise I have been made an Honorary Member of the Professional Association of Specialists in Geriatric Medicine, which is called “Verenso” in Dutch. With my presentation on the subject ‘Dementia and Assisted Dying: International Perspectives on Advance Requests’ I hope to contribute to increase knowledge of international approaches to access via advance requests. I would like to share my experience with you about persons with dementia and a wish for euthanasia. They have taught me that human beings with dementia remain mentally competent with regard to their wish to die by euthanasia during the course of their illness for a very long time.