I have no idea what the solution is:
1) I don't want to vegetate in a nursing home.
2) I oppose assisted suicide.
3) I don't want to be 93 years old and freeze to death in my home because someone cuts my power.
We all have to go some time, but there seem to be few good ways. In hindsight, my father was lucky -- pancreatic cancer. He had 6 months to put his affairs in order, do some things he wanted to do, and say goodbye to people. He was mostly healthy up until the last two weeks and then he dramatically went down hill and passed away in a hospice. Sad. But seems a lot better than what many people go through.
My Mom died a rather extended, and and unpleasant death from kidney cancer. What I remember most tho, is that she never gave up. She didn’t want to go, and she fought it. I know people will differ in how they deal with their own deaths (she was a Christian—she just wasn’t ready to go anywhere!). In fact, she refused Hospice because she would have had to give up all treatments except for pain management.
My experience, as a paramedic, is that many doctors are way too reluctant to prescribe pain meds for those who are dying. Hospice is good at keeping patients comfortable through their last weeks and months, but I see far too many people spend their last days and weeks in excruciating pain.
It is awful to watch anyone struggle with intense and constant pain for weeks or sometimes months, before they finally pass away, especially a loved one. I see it all the time, and I think that is what fuels this assisted suicide movement. Appropriate end of life care can make the last few weeks of life, a positive experience for the patient and the family.