Palliative Care and Medical Aid in Dying: Putting the Person First at the End of Life
There is no video for this event.
When faced with terminal illness, there are few avenues for those who are contemplating the end of life but palliative care is one option. Palliative care is not hospice: It is patient/family-centered care that decreases pain and symptoms, eases suffering and increases survival for patients when offered early in people contending with serious illness. It is designed to address the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs to improve quality of life. Unfortunately, palliative care is a limited resource in many community settings.
In 2016, Colorado voters approved Proposition 106, “Access to Medical Aid in Dying” for terminally ill Colorado residents to ease their suffering and hasten the end of their lives peacefully through medication. Where this is available and the process for administering is not well known. Similarly, palliative care, its processes and challenges, are also unclear to many people.
In this presentation and panel discussion, health care professionals who are recognized experts in their fields will provide an overview of palliative care and present information about medical aid-in-dying. The discussion will address the challenges in delivering palliative care and aid-in-dying medication in rural settings and answer questions as well as proposing solutions such as increased support, education and telemedicine. Join us for this important healthcare discussion and get your questions answered by the experts.
This program is generously underwritten by Lynn & Dr. Andrew Kaufman and is presented in partnership with the Eagle County Healthy Aging Program.
