What is the End Of Life Option Act
In 2016, California passed the California End of Life Option Act which permits a terminally ill adult patient with capacity to make medical decisions to be prescribed an aid-in-dying medication if certain conditions and criteria are met. American River Hospice Services has chosen to participate in the care of patient’s choosing the End Of Life Option Act and will support our patients and their families during this process.
Who is eligible for the End of life option act?
A patient wishing to exercise their right to chose care according to the End of Life Act must meet the following criteria:
The patient’s attending physician has diagnosed the patient with a terminal disease
The patient has voluntarily expressed the with to receive a prescription for an aid-in-dying drug
The patient must be a resident of California- Possession of a California drivers license or other identification issued by the State of California
Registration to vote in California
Evidence that the person owns or leases property in California
Filed taxes in California in the most recent tax year
The patient documents his or her request to obtain the aid-in-dying drug with 2 oral request, a minimum of 15 days apart, and a written request to his or her attending physician
The patient has the physical and mental ability to self administer the aid-in-dying drug.
Be an adult- 18 years or older
The request must be made solely and directly by the patient and can not be made by anyone else (power of attorney, conservator, etc.)
What can i expect from the hospice team?
Our hospice team will be there to support the patient and their family during this entire process.
What we can do:
Provide emotional and spiritual support
Provide comfort
Educate on the process of requesting, qualifying for and obtaining the aid-in-dying medication
What we can not do:
Participate in the administration of the aid-in-dying medication in any way
Certify and qualify the patient for the aid-in-dying process and drug
Our medical director can not be one of the physicians that qualifies the patient for the End of Life Option
Instruct the patient on how to administer the medications