End of Life Options
End of Life Choices California believes that
all Californians diagnosed with a terminal
illness should have factual information
about, and access to, all legal options
concerning their end-of-life wishes.
End of Life Options
OPTION
California End of Life Option Act (ELOA) for Medical Aid in Dying
When the End of Life Option Act (ELOA) was signed by California Governor Jerry Brown on October 5, 2015 and went into effect on June 9, 2016, it laid a solid foundation for all Californians to be supported… LEARN MORE
Eligibility Requirements to Access the Law:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must be of sound mind and exhibit appropriate decision-making capabilities to the attending physician.
- Must be able to self-ingest the medication either orally or by pushing through an NG tube.
- Must be diagnosed with a terminal disease, with a life expectancy of six months or less, by two physicians.
OPTION
Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking
VSED (voluntarily stopping of eating and drinking) is the conscious act of a person to intentionally stop eating and drinking with the goal of ending their life. The decision to use VSED relies solely on a competent person’s … LEARN MORE
OPTION
Stopping Unwanted Medical Treatment
Treatments for certain health conditions or to prolong life, such as use of a ventilator, a feeding tube, IV hydration, antibiotics or other medications and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), can be refused … LEARN MORE
OPTION
Hospice
Hospice care is a type of care and philosophy of care that focuses on the palliation (alleviation) of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill person’s pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional … LEARN MORE
OPTION
Palliative Care
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious or chronic illness. This type of care is focused on relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life … LEARN MORE
OPTION
Palliative Terminal/Sedation
Palliative Sedation, sometimes called terminal sedation, involves being medicated to the point of the loss of consciousness. Typically the person remains unconscious until death. At the same time, all nutrition … LEARN MORE
OPTION
Natural Death
One of the ways a natural death can be achieved is through VSED Some people feel strongly that they only want a death that occurs as a natural part of life, meaning no hastening or prolonging of the dying process … LEARN MORE
“Thank you for your help through this process. We found comfort in our phone call with you and were able to connect with a hospice company who will honor my mom's wishes to exercise MAID if need be. My mom feels a sense of relief knowing that she has options and control over her treatment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and thank you from my parents.” SC
