University Village: End of Life Option Act

January 18, 3 PM.  Private presentation for residents of University Village

Retirement center

Lynne Calkins, Founding Director of End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA), will provide the latest information on services provided by our organization with the goal to help ensure Californians are able to receive the information and support they need to advocate for and experience the death they wish.  The main focus of this presentation will cover California’s End of Life Option Act (2016), a law that is also referred to as Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD).  The background, overview, and specifics of this law such as who is eligible, the process for obtaining the prescription from your physician, and ingestion guidelines will be outlined.  Time will be available for Q & A.
Questions Contact: Speaker@endoflifechoicesca.org
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End of Life Choices CaliforniaEnd of Life Choices California’s mission is to provide Californians the information and support to successfully navigate their legal end-of-life options.  Relevant topics include Advance Care Planning; the California End of Life Option Act (EOLA); eligibility requirements for Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD); and Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED)–a legal option in all 50 states. Our volunteers are very knowledgeable about both hospice and palliative care and can explain the differences between the two services.

Be sure to check our Resources page for Q/A; information on books, films, and organizations; sign up for our blog; see upcoming events; and so much more.  To request a speaker for your group or organization, click here.

Castro Valley Library: End of Life Option Act

 Castro Valley Library, Thursday, Jan 11, 11 AM. Open to the Public/Seniors

The January meeting of Savvy Seniors will explore California’s End of Life Option Act (2016), a law that is also referred to as Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD). This presentation will be provided by Adrian Byram, a volunteer with End of Life Choices California, and will explore the background, overview, and specifics of this law to cover who is eligible, the process for obtaining the prescription from your physician, and other relevant aspects.  Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) will also be discussed, a legal option in all 50 states. Time will be available for Q & A.  
Questions Contact: Speaker@endoflifechoicesca.org
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End of Life Choices CaliforniaEnd of Life Choices California’s mission is to provide Californians the information and support to successfully navigate their legal end-of-life options.  Relevant topics include Advance Care Planning; the California End of Life Option Act (EOLA); eligibility requirements for Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD); and Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED)–a legal option in all 50 states. Our volunteers are very knowledgeable about both hospice and palliative care and can explain the differences between the two services.

Be sure to check our Resources page for Q/A; information on books, films, and organizations; sign up for our blog; see upcoming events; and so much more.  To request a speaker for your group or organization, click here.

Anchor Hospice and Palliative Care


End of Life Options Act: In-Service Virtual Presentation for Staff — Private meeting

Susan Gess, PharmD, a volunteer with and member of the Advisory Council for End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA), will introduce our organization and the free services of personal support and education provided through a dedicated team of volunteers.  Her presentation will highlight the End of Life Options Act (2016), also known as Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD).
The background, overview, and specifics of this law such as who is eligible, the process for obtaining the prescription from the patient’s physician, and ingestion guidelines will be outlined. 
 
For more information contact: Speaker@endoflifechoicesca.org

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End of Life Choices CaliforniaEnd of Life Choices California’s mission is to provide Californians the information and support to successfully navigate their legal end-of-life options.  Relevant topics include Advance Care Planning; the California End of Life Option Act (EOLA); eligibility requirements for Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD); and Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED)–a legal option in all 50 states. Our volunteers are very knowledgeable about both hospice and palliative care and can explain the differences between the two services.

Be sure to check our Resources page for Q/A; information on books, films, and organizations; sign up for our blog; see upcoming events; and so much more.  To request a speaker for your group or organization, click here.

Introduction to End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA)

LGBTQ+ Community Partnership, San Francisco, CA.  Monthly Meeting, November 16, 2023  2pm  (Live)

Susan Gess, PharmD (retired), a volunteer with End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA), will introduce you to this organization and the free services of personal support and education they provide through a dedicated team of volunteers.  Her presentation will highlight two end of life topics: Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) and Voluntary Stopping Eating & Drinking (VSED) to include their legal context, eligibility requirements, and current practices.

Private Event: Open to the interested public with prior invitation.

Contact Information: speaker@endoflifechoicesca.org


End of Life Choices CaliforniaEnd of Life Choices California’s mission is to provide Californians the information and support to successfully navigate their legal end-of-life options.  Relevant topics include Advance Care Planning; the California End of Life Option Act (EOLA); eligibility requirements for Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD); and Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED)–a legal option in all 50 states. Our volunteers are very knowledgeable about both hospice and palliative care and can explain the differences between the two services.

Be sure to check our Resources page for Q/A; information on books, films, and organizations; sign up for our blog; see upcoming events; and so much more.  To request a speaker for your group or organization, click here.

Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) as an End of Life Option

Tuesday, September 12th, 11 AM.  This is an in person presentation for Elizabeth Hospice Volunteers.

Lynne Calkins, founding director of End Of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) will present the latest updates to California’s End of Life Option Act (EOLOA), trends in the utilization of Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), barriers to its use, and opportunities for coordination between EOLCCA and hospice.

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.
  • Updates to the California End of Life Option Act – as of January 1, 2022:
    • 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.  
    • 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.

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End of Life Choices CaliforniaVisit EOLCCA’s Hospice page for more information about this important service.

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.

End of Life Choices California provides Californians the information and support to successfully navigate their legal end-of-life options.

To request a speaker for your group or organization, click here.