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To describe the lived experience of older people who see no future for oneself in the context of aging and the possible development of a wish to die. Data were collected from 34 interviews with people of 55-92 years. A phenomenological hermeneutical analysis was performed using crafted stories as an analytical device. Four intertwined constituents together with the essence of the phenomenon provide a layered description of what it means to see no future for oneself. In all constituents: 1) not sharing everyday life, 2) looking for new commitments, 3) facing present losses and future fears and 4) imagining not waking up in the morning, the essence losing zest for life seeped through their daily experiences. As their horizon of future possibilities is shrinking, older people in our study experience a loss of zest for life and start to questioning the value of their present lives. And although a certain languishing mood can be discovered, the phenomenon 'seeing no future for oneself' does not entail a wish to die. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore what Dutch general practitioners (GPs) need and what their felt responsibilities and considerations are during (decision-making for) physician assisted dying (PAD) in the context of palliative care in the home-setting., Design: A qualitative interview study was performed as part of a larger interview-study exploring the experiences of patients, relatives, and other care-professionals with PAD., Method: Purposive sampling was adopted to select eleven GPs with experience in end-of-life decision-making and with sufficient variety on the domains of age, gender, work setting and additional expertise. Narrative interviews were conducted by a GP-researcher. Interviews were transcribed, anonymized and analyzed through narrative thematic analysis. A member check with participants was performed., Results: GPs mentioned corresponding needs on the personal level, in the interaction with patients and families, and on an organizational/societal level. Similar examples of complicating family-dynamics were described. Meanwhile, different considerations emerged in relation to how to act and what to take responsibility for during PAD, such as GPs' own life views, sort/duration of treatment relationships, and care for relatives. Last, casuistry of PAD-requests of patients with metastasized cancer emerged - in theory the least controversial cases - in which specific circumstances made GPs again (re)consider their responsibilities and boundaries., Conclusion: This study provides new insight into what matters for Dutch GPs while trying to realize 'good euthanasia-care' in the home-setting. The study raises important questions about the position of GPs, the conditions under which they need to operate, and what reasonably may be expected of them.