What the World Needs Now
As End of Life Choices California completes its second year (first full year!) and we approach this coming new one, I am struck by what an immense undertaking beginning and […]
El Día de los Muertos
Dear Readers, A few years ago, I happened to be visiting Mexico over October 31 – November 2. As luck would have it, it was the annual event of el […]
Medical Aid in Living
People seeking MAID are vibrant, courageous, and thoughtful. They know who they are, define the rules of their life, and are clear on their values, including the meaning of living. […]
California End of Life Option Act 2019
The recently released 2019 data report on the California End of Life Option Act highlights, among other things, the welcome progress made in the increasing number of physicians prescribing medical […]
Looking for answers about EOL? We can help.
I hope that everyone in California who has ALS or any terminal illness and wants to exercise their right to die on their own terms is lucky enough to give […]
Making COVID Lemonade
As I contemplate life on my porch in late-May 2020, I feel many different emotions. As a nursing home and hospice physician, I mostly feel sad that so many of […]
Gentle Tips on Death and Dying
I have never died, so this entire book is a fool’s advice. Book Review On the first page of her new book, Sallie Tisdale writes: “I have never died, so […]
Our Favorite Music
Dear Friends, In this continuing and unprecedented time of disruption and uncertainty, we wanted to share some of our favorite music with you. Music has been known for centuries to […]
My First Death
I don’t mean that I saw the bright light at the end of the tunnel and came back to the big metal table. I’m not writing about my childhood dog, […]
On COVID-19, Flexibility and Compassion
We share this thoughtful blog by EOLCCA Board member Fran Johns, a prolific thinker and writer. While much has changed in the mere 11 days since she wrote this piece, […]
Diane Rehm’s new book: When My Time Comes
Editor’s note: We know that focusing on helping our families and supporting our communities in the effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is of the utmost importance. During […]
Cycles of Living and Dying…
Originally published March 4, 2020 and reprinted with permission Sebastian entered the world eight weeks ahead of schedule, weighing all of two pounds. His lineage is Korean/African American/German, which may […]
The Beauty of Choice
End of Life Choices California offers information and non-judgemental personal support to anyone seeking help managing end-of-life care planning or decision-making in California. Please visit our website for more information […]
Thank you Dr. Israel!
We applaud and need more doctors like New Jersey physician, Jessica Israel, MD to share the thoughtful journey that led them to participate in medical aid in dying (MAID) for […]
The Path to a Good Death
This weekend, EOLCCA hosted our third Client Advocate Volunteer training in California. It was a great day and we have some amazing new volunteers in our EOLCCA family. Part of […]
EOLCCA 2020 Hope and Vision
We have been thinking about how we want to grow in 2020 and are working to clarify our vision for the coming year. But, sometimes it helps to look back […]
Giving Thanks
The dictionary describes the word ‘thanksgiving’ as follows: “the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors…..an expression of thanks….” Each of us always looks forward to Thanksgiving, […]
When the Burdens of Living Outweigh the Benefits
The Washington Post article’s title, “At 94, she was ready to die by fasting,” was a bit misleading. Upon further reading, it was made clear that Rosemary Bowen did not […]
Alternate Endings
ALTERNATE ENDINGS released in August 2019 is a touching HBO film that depicts new and innovative ways to end or memorialize one’s life. My husband and I watched it last […]
How Not To Die In The ER
This extraordinary piece we share with you today is a thoughtful and moving example of just what it takes to get well-meaning medical providers to pay attention to what we […]
Going online shopping this weekend?
A New and SUPER Easy Way to Contribute to our Important Work! Hello Friends, We know how many requests for financial support come through your inbox for nonprofits and political […]
That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour
In the last several years, there have been many wonderful books about how we navigate dying. This interest coincides with a movement toward questioning the current use of technology up […]
A Return To Nature
I recently read this article, which appeared in my Inbox. I was pleasantly surprised by all the information it contained about green burial. This issue has not been part of […]
Finish Strong: Book Review
Several months ago, I had the good fortune to hear Barbara Coombs Lee speak about her new book, Finish Strong: Putting Your Priorities First at Life’s End. Barbara, a former […]
This Belongs at the Top of Your Summer Reading List
“A straightforward, well-organized, nondepressing guide to managing the run-up to one’s inevitable demise.” Amanda Urban, Publisher’s Weekly “The surprising comfort of a new book about death” Michael Dirda, The Washington […]
An Act of Love
I was talking with my friend, Jen, today and she told me about the death of her 96 year old grandmother. There were some important things she shared with me […]
Dealing with Dementia: What Do I Do?
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common health problems people face in their seventies and eighties. However, did you know you can take certain measures before such a diagnosis […]
The Elephant In The Room
CAN WE TALK ABOUT DYING? By Lynne Calkins “Make friends with death. Get comfortable with it, and you will have a much fuller, happier life.” Seriously? Sounds kind of weird, […]
But, Isn’t It Suicide?
When talking about medical aid in dying, the short answer? No. Definitely not. But there is a better, more thorough answer. The other night I was at a dinner party […]
Movie Review: Paddleton (2019 Drama/Comedy)
A friend recommended I watch the new Netflix movie, Paddleton, just out in February. I found it to be a worthy watch for someone interested in the intricacies of death […]