The choice to die with dignity on your own terms is an intensely personal decision.  There are now 9 states in the U.S. that have Death with Dignity laws in place. Death with Dignity laws enable terminally ill persons to make choices about how and when they die. 

If you’re a hospice and palliative care professional, you should know about these laws. You don’t have to endorse these laws, or condemn them, but you should be knowledgeable about the laws that would affect the patients in your state.   According to death with dignity.org, “for more than 20 years, Death with Dignity National Center, Death with Dignity Political Fund, and their predecessor organizations have defended and advanced policy reform based on the model legislation, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act”.   Find out more by going to their FAQ page. 

You can find more information about end of life care, caregiving, and grief on theheartofhospice.com.  Send us an email to share your experience with Death with Dignity laws - we’re always grateful for the connection.  And remember, no matter who you are, or where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.