Artdecogran, I totally agree with you and am so so sorry you had to experience the awful trauma of the slow and painful death of loved ones.
I live in Switzerland (me Swiss-British, and OH British-Swiss) in retirement- and I am so grateful that if the day game, I would have the choice of my own ending, with help and support, in my own home.
''Some say that if the law were changed it could lead to unscrupulous relatives bumping grandma off to get their inheritance quicker.''
this accusation is just nonsense. The Laws must be clear, and then there is NO slippery slope. In Switzerland, the person asking for assistance will be interviewed by person trained for the purpose, on their own, to avoid any outside interference. The person has to be 100% clear that there is NO-ONE putting pressure on them, in anyway whatsoever, and no hesitation of any kind- and that they are 100% compos mentis.
Then a day is set- and on the day, the person is again interviewed, on their own, to be 100% sure of the above. Then, if all is 100% clear - the potion is given, or the drip fitted. The person has to take and swallow the potion themselves, or trigger the drip. It is all filmed to ensure it is the case. When the person is dead, in seconds- the death is confirmed, the tape stopped, and the police called and given the tape to view, if wished. There is NO scope for error, NO scope at all from outside interference- and proof that having this guarantee of being able to escape at any time when it all gets too much - people often choose to live much longer- and often to not ask for help at all in the end.
If you have to be fit enough to travel abroad- you are under huge pressure to go far too early when you still have some quality time with loved ones still ahead. I am a member of 'Dignity in Dying' which is fighting to achieve the same rights for British people.