I feel fortunate to live in one of the 11 States (i.e., Colorado) that has enacted Death with Dignity legislation. That legislation typically allows a person at the end of life to obtain a prescription from a physician for a medication (sometimes called a ‘cocktail’) that can be taken if and when they are determined by 2 physicians to be within 6 months of death and would otherwise endure pain or anguish. The medication results in a quick peaceful death, often in the company of loving family members. Legislation of this kind has been found to provide a peaceful option, and data shows that the option is typically not overused or abused.
Along with Colorado, the other states that have similar legislation are: California, Delaware, DC, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
At our CCRC, a group of a dozen of us got together this year with a local physician who has years of experience with this compassionate physician-assisted procedure. Those who attended found the discussion to be open and informative. And the conversation led to a discussion of related issues, such as the desirability of creating a Living Will or an Advance Medical Directive that would express a person’s wishes for the types of medical treatment that are — or are not — desired at the time of death.
For more information, an excellent website is: https://compassionandchoices.org/
Barry Peters
Wind Crest (an Erickson CCRC in Colorado)
Earth.Justice@gmail.com