All Hope Hospice clinicians (RNs, LVNs, MSWs, SCCs, et al) are invited to this Zoom presentation, Thursday, June 22th, 3-4 PM.
Representatives from End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) will present on End of Life (EOL) Options including Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD). Topics will include recent changes to the California End of Life Option Act, eligibility requirements, and barriers that still remain for those wishing to utilize MAiD. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
Contact Mariam Lawson, mariaml@hopehospice.com, for additional information and/or Zoom sign-in link. For more information on Hope Hospice and Health Services, visit: www.hopehospice.com
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 for dying with dignity, including (if they qualify) medical aid in dying. That objective is so important that it sits at the heart of our mission statement: EOLCCA provides Californians the information and support to successfully navigate their legal end-of-life options.
Knowing one’s choices is key
It continues to surprise us that few Californians take advantage of the End of Life Option Act. We understand that there are many reasons for that. For example, many individuals (including doctors) may not know about the law, or they may not support it on religious or other grounds. We just want to make sure that, at the very least, Californians know about the law so–if they qualify–they have the choice to use it.
With that in mind, I recorded a Perspective piecefor KQED (the public radio station in northern California), about how the law clearly benefited one of our clients, along with mention about how few Californians use the law. By the end of 2021 (the last year for which we have usage data), less than a quarter of 1% of deaths in California resulted from using it that year.
Looking at the raw numbers, in 2021, 772 individuals had prescriptions written, and 448 ingested and died from the drugs prescribed that year. NOTE: We always see a disparity between prescriptions written and ingestion because many people end up dying on their own–but feel great relief knowing they have the drugs if they need them.
If you would like to listen to my Perspective, here’s the link. And–hey–please spread the word! Thank you.
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Stewart Florsheim serves on the Board of Directors of End of Life Choices California and chairs itsOutreach and Education Committee. He has been an activist and leader in the end-of-life choice movement in California since 2003. During that time he was deeply involved in the effort to successfully pass the California End of Life Option Act in 2015. Stewart has given many presentations on end-of-life choice, including onradioand TV.
EOLCCA supports a strong team of experienced volunteers throughout the state, ready to help anyone, anywhere in California free of charge with information and support regarding all end-of-life planning and choices, including aid in dying through the California End of Life Option Act. You can find comprehensive information on our user-friendly website. To support our work, or request an educational presentation, please visitways to help. Thank you.
This presentation and Q/A session is for the staff and volunteers of Advantage Hospice Costa Mesa
This interesting and informative session will cover recent changes to the California End of Life Option Act, requirements for and barriers to Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), end of life options if one does not meet eligibility for MAiD, and a host of related topics. Presenters from End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) include Founding Director Lynne Calkins, Volunteer Manager Steffany Lohn, and Client Volunteer Linda Rowe.
This live, in-person presentation at Catalina Hall is for La Costa Glen residents
Join Lynne Calkins, a Founding Director of End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA), for what promises to be an informative and thought-provoking presentation on the End of Life Option Act, and Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD). Topics will include the legal requirements for choosing MAiD, circumstances in which it may not be feasible, the process involved, and so much more. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
For more information, contact Michele Chaffee, Activities Director, La Costa Glen, 760-704-1043
Live in-person presentation for hospice Social Workers, RNs, Bereavement Counselors/Chaplains, and other interested staff
Join representatives from End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) for this timely and informative in-person presentation for hospice social workers, registered nurses, bereavement counselors, chaplains, and interested staff on advance care planning, updates to the California End of Life Option Act, barriers to medical aid in dying, and ways that hospice can support those who opt for using this legal method to die with dignity and on their own terms.
The presentation will cover such topics as
Advance care planning – Advance care planning is a process that enables individuals to make plans about their future health care. Advance care planning is applicable to adults at all stages of life. Participation in advance care planning has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety for patients and their families, and lead to improvements in end of life care.
The new bill reduces the waiting period between the required two oral requests to 48 hours.
Healthcare systems and hospices now have to post their aid-in-dying policies on their websites.
The final attestation form is no longer needed.
When a terminally-ill patient requests MAID and their physician does not wish to participate, the physician is now required to tell the patient and must document the request and transfer the patient’s medical records upon request.
The amendment also clarifies that MAID medication can be taken within a healthcare facility.
Eligibility Requirements for MAID – 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; and Must be diagnosed with a terminal disease, with a life expectancy of six months or less, by two physicians.
Visit our Hospice page for more information about this important service.
Hospice is a philosophy, not a place
Hospice is a philosophy, not a place, which provides compassionate comfort care at the end of life. The goal is to maintain or improve quality of life for someone whose illness, disease or condition is not going to be cured, and from which there is no anticipated recovery. Each patient’s individualized care plan is designed to address the physical, emotional and spiritual pain that often accompanies terminal illness. Hospice care also offers practical support for the family during the illness and grief support after a death. For those who have an appropriate medical referral, the cost of hospice care is usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid or a third party insurance.
Our Mission: At End of Life Choices California, we provide Californians the information and support to successfully navigate their legal end-of-life options.
