California End of Life Option Act

What is the California End of Life Option Act?

The End of Life Option Act is a law passed by the California legislation permitting terminally ill adults seeking to end their life to request lethal doses of medication from their physician. To qualify, patients must be competent adults who reside in the state and have life expectancies of six months or less.

Healthcare providers may choose whether or not to participate in the Act.

What is Antelope Valley Supportive Care and Hospice’s position on end of life decisions?

Our staff are ready to assist patients and families with planning for the future, and will provide assistance with completion of advanced directives and POLST forms. The agency and its staff will respect and honor all end of life decisions that are within our scope of care, which includes management of disease symptoms.

Does Antelope Valley Supportive Care and Hospice participate in the California End of Life Option Act?

The agency has elected not to participate in the act of intentionally ending life. We will not discharge patients who pursue aid in dying, but our staff will not be present when a patient chooses to administer life-ending medications. Bereavement and family support services will remain fully available to families and loved ones.

What is Palliative Sedation?

Palliative sedation is an approach to management of severe symptoms using medication to provide the patient with sedation resembling sleep. This is similar to the way medications might be used in dental or outpatient surgical procedures to prevent patient discomfort. We believe this is a humane and responsible alternative to intentionally ending life.