The End of Life Options Act is representative of laws dealing with sometimes termed “Death with Dignity.”  It’s something for many of us to discuss and consider.

It is worth doing so.  I hope that you do.

Changes to EOLOA as of January 1, 2022

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 380 making much needed adjustments to the existing End of Life Options Act in California. The new provisions are now in effect as of January 1, 2022.  Here is a summary of what is different for anyone seeking Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) in the state of California in 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.
• 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. Read more 

When Coloradans with an assist from Compassion & Choices, a national nonprofit committed to expanding end-of-life options got Proposition 106, aka the Colorado End of Life Options Act, on the ballot in 2016, there was plenty of pushback—from the Archdiocese of Denver, advocacy groups for the disabled, hospice directors, hospital administrators, and more physicians than one might think. 

On November 8, 64.9 percent of voters OK’d the access-to-medical-aid-in-dying measure, making Colorado the fifth jurisdiction to approve the practice. (Oregon, California, Montana, Washington, Hawaii, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.), have or are planning to enact similar laws.

We are all going to die, our physical bodies will give up, our spiritual bodies will carry on if you believe in re-incarnation

“As the baby boomers age out, more than 3.6 Million by 2037 will rest in peace, compared to those in 2015,” according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Where do we find the help to assist us if we choose to die at home?

• If you care about your stuff you’ll have at least a will, if you have property, a mortgage, a car, or children then you really need to speak to an estate lawyer to help you define everything.
• Every state will have different laws about probate and gifts.
• Also check with your state about if they have any kind of end of life options also.

We do a poor job of allowing people to pass with dignity.  Talking with the families about this topic does help seem to help to understand they want to die on their terms

The option to have your life end on your terms. Many health insurance providers won’t cover the prescriptions that you may need. 

Out of pocket it may cost $3000.+ to get the lethal dose from your Dr. it takes 10 -20 minutes for the dose for the patient to fall asleep, then death follows within one to three hours.

Between your care team, things are talked out, death can be a beautiful thing. It doesn’t have to be a scary thing. We are afraid of the pain and having to be cared for. As if we don’t want to burden anyone. 

When a baby arrives we celebrate that, why not celebrate your death?

“Dying in a hospital is the worst thing ever. There is an amazing difference dying at home around friends and family.”
—Dr. Cory Carroll, family practice physician, Fort Collins

“Sadly, we live in a society and a culture where grieving and the authentic expression of emotion is sometimes looked down upon.”   —John Horan, president and CEO of Horan & McConaty Funeral Service, Denver

We only die once, let’s do it right!!

63 % Americans those who are 18 years or older, who die in hospitals and other institutional settings, like long-term care facilities and hospices. 

49.5 % of deaths occurred in institutions. Because death in the home had become more uncommon in 1949 it was less common experts say. Now with the Baby Boomers they are driving for more options, such as dying with dignity, or being at home when diagnosed with terminal illness.

Americans who have indirect experience with the dying process, caused a separation.  Has led us to fear, to misunderstand and essentially ignore the end of life as an important stage of life itself.

Need help? Check out the resource bank and the for more resources. 

**Don’t forget to attend the film documentary about the baby boomer dilemma – tickets are available at EventBrite. They are free – Thursday April 7, 2022 10:00am.  There isn’t a replay. I along with Ngoc will be doing a Q & A to answer any questions you have. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/documentary-film-presentation-tickets-308362038157 **

Our End of Life Options are becoming more visible to us, if you have resources to share, please send them to me.