There Are Options at the End

Specialized Physician-led care supporting patients and their loved ones through legal end of life options including Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) and Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED).

There is no single approach to End of Life Care that works for every individual. We believe that everyone deserves to know the options available to them in their final chapter of life, and should have a say in the type of care they receive.

We take decisions about end of life very seriously, and work closely with our clients – patients and their loved ones – to understand their goals, values, and resources. We share the options; our clients are always in charge of their own journeys.

Important Considerations

When helping those we serve create an End of Life plan, we encourage them to think about and discuss some important considerations:

• What quality of life would be acceptable to you?
• What type of treatments, and how many, are you willing to tolerate?
• What activities do you wish to be able to do to make life worthwhile?
• How much pain are you willing to tolerate?

Once questions like these are discussed, the option or options that are right for each individual often become clearer.

Option 1: Do Everything Possible

“Doing Everything” is modern healthcare’s default option for care. It entails doing everything possible to extend life regardless of unintended and sometimes unavoidable consequences.

This approach can look different for each individual and family and can include various combinations of care and support to help you transition from a hospital or long-term care facility to receiving care in your home, receive the medical and holistic care you need to maximize your quality of life and give your family the gift of attentive support throughout the journey.

Learn More About Doing Everything Possible

Option 2: Stop Aggressive Treatment

For some people with complex and terminal illnesses, the time comes when there are no more treatment options available, or the harm from medical treatment outweighs the potential benefits. Choosing to stop aggressive treatment does not necessarily mean choosing to do nothing at all, or to give up on living well. It is critically important to ensure that a support system such as In-Home Palliative Care or End of Life Care remains in place so the patient and families continue to receive optimal care once they stop receiving care from their specialists.

Learn More About Stopping Aggressive Treatment

Option 3: Medical Aid in Dying

Medical Aid in Dying, or MAiD–often referred to as Death with Dignity–is a process guided by a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) that allows a competent adult with a terminal illness to receive a prescription for life-ending medication. The laws around MAiD vary from state to state, and is unfortunately not yet legal in all United States jurisdictions.

While the legal process is relatively simple for those who qualify, having supported hundreds of patients and families through this process, we strongly recommend engaging the support of an experienced physician and team of experts who are familiar with the nuances and impact of the process on patients and their loved ones. At Empowered Endings, we ensure all of our MAiD patients and families have robust education, guidance and support from our team of doctors and doulas throughout the process and beyond.

Learn More About MAiD

Option 4: Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking

When a person is dealing with prolonged suffering at the end of their life, Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking, or VSED, can be a surprisingly painless and peaceful option. Considered natural dying, and legal in most jurisdictions throughout the United States, VSED is becoming a more common way for a competent person with prolonged and hopeless suffering from advanced age and complex physical illnesses to experience a “soft landing.”

When considering VSED, we strongly recommend engaging the guidance and oversight of end-of-life experts with the knowledge and experience to ensure patients are comfortable and families are well-supported.

Learn More About VSED

Whatever decisions you make about your healthcare journey, Empowered Endings is here to support you with our experience, expertise, and compassionate guidance.