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September 2017 earthquake served us to reveal the face of society and the role of the State. The earthquake divided Mexico in two: one where citizens demonstrated their solidarity; and the other, an ineffective government which fell behind, displaced by the power and commitment of the people. Social structure allows people to create networks and share information that helps to manage and confront disasters. Social capital benefits are immense. Ours and previous experiences in earthquakes exalt the role of community and the transcendence of solidarity, empathy and of the commitment of those who exercise it. ; El terremoto de septiembre de 2017 sirvió para mostrar el rostro de la sociedad y la cara del Estado. El terremoto dividió en dos a México; uno de ellos, el de la ciudadanía, mostró su solidaridad; el del poder, rezagado e inoperante, quedó relegado ante la fuerza y entrega de la gente. La estructura social permite a las personas crear redes y difundir informa­ción que puede ser útil para manejar y confrontar desastres. Las bondades del capital social son vastas. Las experiencias previas y la nuestra enaltecen el papel de la comunidad y la trascendencia de la solidaridad, la empatía y del compromiso de quienes la ejercen.

End-of-life decision-making in patients with dementia is a complex topic. Belgium and the Netherlands have been at the forefront of legislative advancement and progressive societal changes concerning the perspectives toward physician-assisted death (PAD). Careful consideration of clinical and social aspects is essential during the end-of-life decision-making process in patients with dementia. Geriatric assent provides the physician, the patient and his family the opportunity to end life with dignity. Unbearable suffering, decisional competence, and awareness of memory deficits are among the clinical considerations that physicians should incorporate during the end-of-life decision-making process. However, as other societies introduce legislature granting the right of PAD, new social determinants should be considered; Mexico City is an example. Current perspectives regarding advance euthanasia directives (AED) and PAD in patients with dementia are evolving. A new perspective that hinges on the role of the family and geriatric assent should help culturally heterogeneous societies in the transition of their public health care policies regarding end-of-life choices. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s40592-020-00112-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

End-of-life decision-making in patients with dementia is a complex topic. Belgium and the Netherlands have been at the forefront of legislative advancement and progressive societal changes concerning the perspectives toward physician-assisted death (PAD). Careful consideration of clinical and social aspects is essential during the end-of-life decision-making process in patients with dementia. Geriatric assent provides the physician, the patient and his family the opportunity to end life with dignity. Unbearable suffering, decisional competence, and awareness of memory deficits are among the clinical considerations that physicians should incorporate during the end-of-life decision-making process. However, as other societies introduce legislature granting the right of PAD, new social determinants should be considered; Mexico City is an example. Current perspectives regarding advance euthanasia directives (AED) and PAD in patients with dementia are evolving. A new perspective that hinges on the role of the family and geriatric assent should help culturally heterogeneous societies in the transition of their public health care policies regarding end-of-life choices.