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.

Delta Health Hospice

Tuesday, August 22, 2003, 10 AM. This Zoom presentation is for the medical and social work staff of Delta Health Hospice.

Founding Director Lynne Calkins, End of Life California (EOLCCA), will review with medical and social work staff the requirements and processes of Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), to include suggested helpful language to assist clients in understanding their options and exploring their values.  In addition,  the extensive information and support EOLCCA can provide to their clients will be reviewed.

For more information contact: Lynne Calkins, LCalkins@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.

 

The Elizabeth Hospice: End of Life Option Act

Tuesday, August 1, 9:30-11 AM: In-person presentation for Elizabeth Hospice Social Workers

Join Lynne Calkins, founding director of End Of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) for discussion of 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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Hospice of Humboldt County: End of Life Options (EOL) and Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)

Tues, June 20, 9:15 AM. This presentation and Q/A session is for the social work staff of Hospice of Humboldt County.

Join End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) founding director, Lynne Calkins and Client Volunteer Thom Bettinger for this interesting and informative presentation. Topics will include End of Life (EOL) Options including Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), eligibility requirements, and barriers that still remain for those wishing to utilize MAiD.  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

For additional information, contact Lynne Calkins at lcalkins@endoflifechoicesca.org or 760.632.8029

Hope Hospice: End of Life Options and Medical Aid in Dying

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