Going it Alone with MAiD
My husband’s strong will to live led to his belief that the next round of chemo would be the one that was successful… By Christine Lynch My husband’s strong will […]
The Dying Process Can Be Peaceful
…If you know what to expect. By Fran Johns When my husband Bud died I knew a lot about what was happening. I had attended medically- aided deaths as a […]
Good Grief! Navigating MAiD Bereavement
Thankfully, the laws have changed. The culture has some catching up to do. by Mary Abbott End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA), in partnership with the Hospice of the North […]
Wait, We Have Choices? Spreading the Word about End-of-Life Choice
by Reina Galanes Today at the gym, an acquaintance asked what I’ve been doing in retirement. I told her I’m volunteering as the Speakers Program Coordinator for End of Life […]
December 2024 Blog
By Mark Greenberg As the year comes to a close, I am proud and pleased to report that End of Life Choices California’s programs and services expanded at unprecedented levels. […]
Finding your Bereavement Safe Zone
By Lynne Calkins What is a ‘Bereavement Safe Zone’? It’s 5 PM on a Tuesday evening. We’re sitting at our computers, strangers from all over the US, staring at faces […]
Dementia and End-of-Life Choices
Dementia is actually a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that become severe enough to interfere with daily life.
If Only We Had Known
Understanding what services are available, often mandated, is critical to those dealing with terminal diagnoses.
MAiD MYTHS
We live in a time of misinformation and disinformation. EOLCCA receives a lot of inquiries from people who believe many of the myths circulating about MAiD. The purpose of this article is to dispel those myths and provide you with the facts.
New Report on Medical Aid in Dying in California
Equally important to EOLCCA is the fact that the number of people who obtained a MAiD prescription increased by almost 50% compared to 2021. Universal knowledge that California has this law is a critical missing element that persists as a major roadblock for those who might request medical aid in dying.
What actually happens during a MAID death.
As an End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) bedside client volunteer and retired medical professional, I’ve attended both medically-assisted deaths (MAID) and non-MAID deaths. Most people who qualify choose MAID […]
Getting the Word Out About Dying with Dignity
At End of Life Choices California, one of our major objectives is to spread the word about all of the medical options Californians have at the end of their lives […]
Our First Line Phone Volunteers
Lynne Calkins remembers one call from a man whose terminally-ill father wanted to die – beginning a story that led to a movie. Last Flight Home, an acclaimed documentary released […]
How We Help Our Clients
When I first joined EOLCCA’s Board of Directors, I decided to go through the volunteer training so I could get a handle on our core work: to help Californians learn […]
Last Flight Home
“It was like light from a lighthouse,” says David Timoner of the call he got from End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) when he and his family were facing the toughest time of their lives.
David’s 92-year-old father Eli was in the hospital. He had reached a point at which advanced COPD, CHF, and other health issues had become intractable and meant he would have to transfer to a care facility. But Eli knew he wanted to die at home surrounded by those he loved, and he asked about medical aid in dying. His family understood and supported his decision but didn’t know where to turn for help. Vaguely aware of a California law, they still had no idea what to do next.
Talking to your Doctor about MAID
When your plans include California’s End of Life Option Act Medical aid in dying is a legal end-of-life option in 11 US states and jurisdictions, including California. Aid in dying […]
Talking with Your Doctor about Your End-of-Life Wishes
When we plan the least When expectant parents are planning for their newborns, it’s commonplace to seek out trusted medical offices that are aligned with their needs and values. Similarly, […]
Apoyo y Ayuda al Final / Support and Help at the End
Esta nota bilingüe fue publicada previamente en La Voz y en Impulso News. Si usted desea apoyar nuestro alcance a la comunidad Latinx, escriba a la Doctora Marisol a doctoramarisolmunoz@gmail.com. […]
Your Voice – Lessening the impact of dementia
The joy of growing up for me was to be on my own, make my own way, and be myself. Of course, accomplishing these goals is more than the compilation […]
Advance Directive: Part 2
For our fourth week in April honoring National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16), we will complete this series by discussing two additional topics that can be added to an Advance […]
Advance Directive: Part 1
Now that you have hopefully talked with your loved ones about getting an Advance Directive (AD) done, or are thinking about updating it, here is a little more information. By […]
Do You Have an Advance Directive?
Although conversations about Advance Care Planning may seem awkward at first, they often bring family members closer together. Talking about death/end of life is deeply personal. Sharing beliefs and desires […]
Honoring National Healthcare Decisions Day
Most of the work we do at End of Life Choices California involves talking with people about dying: addressing their fears, providing support with problem solving, helping them access the […]
When the Burdens of Living Outweigh the Benefits
When I read The Washington Post article’s title, “At 94, she was ready to die by fasting,” I thought “Oh no!” Upon further reading, I learned that Rosemary Bowen did […]
When You Don’t Have Access to Medical Aid in Dying…
As of Tuesday, August 27, an appeals court in New Jersey overturned the restraining order mentioned in this post, which halted New Jersey’s “Aid in Dying” law, now making it […]
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 […]