In November 2014 Brittany Maynard made the news when at 29 years old, after being diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer, she evoked Oregon’s “Death with Dignity Act” which allows those with a terminal illness to voluntarily end their own life.
This sparked a lot of controversy about assisted suicide, euthanasia and who, if anyone, has the right to end a life. Does a doctor really have the right to end a life, even if their patient is 100% consenting and has a terminal illness? Does an individual in extreme pain have the right to choose the moment of their death? Can anyone choose to withdraw treatment once it has begun? This week’s guest, Dr. Arthur Caplan, bioethicist and host of “Both Sides Now ON MEDSCAPE,” and I explore the arguments posed by the proponents and opponents of assisted suicide, euthanasia and treatment withdrawal.
View all Alz Live Audio View Alz Live’s SoundCloud Channel
About the author
Stephanie Erickson is a clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience as a geriatric social worker. Her primary area of practice focuses on…
Stephanie Erickson is a clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience as a geriatric social worker. Her primary area of practice focuses on Dementia and decision-making capacity. She works with seniors living autonomously, in care facilities, in acute care at the hospital, and who are living with family. Stephanie also provides training and consultation to families, the Alzheimer’s Society, community groups, financial and legal institutions and at professional conferences. She hosts her own weekly podcast called Caregivers’ Circle. She founded Erickson Resource Group which offers holistic services to seniors and their families. Check out her free guide to initiating conversations with aging relatives.
Read All Articles by Stephanie
Read More
Read Less
