Nov. 19, 2015 – Hemlock Society of San Diego Meeting
There were two main topics: HOW DOES IT WORK IN OREGON? George Eighmey, lawyer, former legislator and director of the Oregon Compassion & Choices program for the first 12 years of its existence discussed how doctors are recruited, family involvement, the role of volunteers, hospice’s attitude, and the now exorbitant price of medications. George is Vice President of DDNC (Death with Dignity National Center)
WHAT WILL HOSPICE DO UNDER THE LAW? Dr. Glenn Panzer is Chief Medical Officer of Elizabeth Hospice with which he has been associated for 13 years. He specializes in geriatric medicine and palliative care. He discussed what he sees as the hospice role in the new law.
Part 1:
Part 2: Question & Answer Period Video Q&A discusses:
- role of hospice
- Brittany Maynard not using hospice
- Alzheimer’s and Dementia, MS, Parkinsons, diagnoses that do not qualify for relief under the California End of Life Option Act
- voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED)
- failure to thrive
- desire for extension of time period for qualifying under the law to beyond 6 months to live
- training for implementing the End of Life Option Act
the 6-months or less requirement of the law and how death is not really predictable - doctors’ hesitance to discuss death and/or recommend hospice
- refusal of treatment at end of life