Whether opting out of aid in dying, fully embracing it, or taking a stance somewhere in between, hospices in states where aid in dying is legal will increasingly need to offer care for patients considering or completing medical aid in dying.The Academy stands ready as a committed ally, offering support and guidance to hospices.
What is well coordinated aid-in-dying hospice care? It’s not about the prescription; it’s about the care. It’s patient-centered care that honors autonomy and ensures that patients considering or completing medical aid in dying receive high-quality care, regardless of where they get their aid-in-dying prescription or how they die. It demonstrates that a hospice agency’s nurses, social workers, and spiritual care providers are trained and equipped to care for these patients competently. We offer training and guidance.
Related Resources from the Journal of Aid-in-Dying Medicine
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act: A pathway to Compliance for Hospice by Kevin J. Malone, JD and William Walters, JD
Hospice Policies on Medical Aid in Dying: Current Practices and Recent Progress By Richard Width, RN and Thalia DeWolf, RN, CHPN
