On June 21, 2023, the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM) released the first published comprehensive clinical guidelines for Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) in the United States. VRNW co-founder and director Nancy Simmers was a member of the working group that drafted the guidelines. What follows is the text of a news […]
In mid-May, VRNW co-founder Marie Eaton was interviewed for an article that appeared in the Cascadia Daily News, a locally owned newspaper based out of Bellingham. Staff reporter Ralph Schwartz interviewed Eaton for an article about palliative care in Whatcom County: “‘Devastated’: PeaceHealth makes cuts to palliative care; decision to reduce services for seriously ill a
In the News: VRNW Founder interviewed by CASCADIA DAILY NEWS Read More »
In “The Struggle: Notes From a Caregiver,” published in January on NextAvenue.org, David McNally discusses the emotional roller coaster that accompanies caregiving for his wife Cheryl, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Cheryl watched her brother succumb to Alzheimer’s, and has decided to use VSED to hasten her death sometime this year, with David’s support. Right
VSED Stories: Notes From a Caregiver Read More »
VSED Resources Northwest has released the first issue of our newsletter, The VSED Dispatch, vol. 1, issue 1. As the newsletter notes, “we hope to offer stories that inspire, news items that inform, and additional content that engages your interest in VSED, medical aid-in-dying, and related topics. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d
VSED Resources NW newsletter: The VSED Dispatch, Vol. 1, Issue 1 Read More »
The VSED Handbook, written by VRNW member Kate Christie and with a foreword from VRNW co-founder Nancy Simmers, has lately gotten some attention in varying parts of the country. In February, Patient Choices Vermont–a non-profit organization dedicated to end-of-life choice–published a review on their website. Susan Gillotti, PCV Board Member, had this to say about
Book Corner: Recent Reviews of “The VSED Handbook” Read More »
In mid-February, VRNW co-founders Nancy Simmers and Andrea Fenwick were interviewed for an article that appeared in the Salish Current, a nonprofit, online local news organization serving Whatcom, San Juan, and Skagit counties. Journalist Kai Uyehara also interviewed Cassa Sutherland, End of Life Washington‘s client services manager, and Lashanna Williams, executive director of Seattle-based A Sacred
In the News: VRNW members interviewed by the Salish Current Read More »
Recently, retired newspaper photographer Peter Haley penned an editorial in the Seattle Times: “State’s ‘Death with Dignity’ law failed my wife.” In his piece, Haley wrote that Toni, his “beloved wife of 27 years,” was forced to die alone because Washington state’s medical aid-in-dying (MAID) law doesn’t cover ALS. Toni chose to die on her
VRNW Member Responds to Seattle Times Article about WA’s Death with Dignity/MAID Law Read More »
Judith Schwarz, PhD, is the Clinical Director of End of Life Choices New York and a nationally recognized expert on VSED. In her recent post on Medium, “What is a ‘dementia directive’ to stop eating and drinking?” Schwarz explains the use of an advanced directive to prevent handfeeding in later stages of dementia. The article
Reblog: Dementia Directive information from EoL Choices NY Read More »
In Whatcom County, which VSED Resources Northwest calls home, the only hospital is run by a faith-based healthcare system that chooses not to medically support Washington State’s Death with Dignity law. In the past, both patients and medical providers have been confused about what the hospital’s responsibility is to offer accurate information and referral information
More Training Needed for Washington’s Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1608 Read More »
Recently, VSED Resources Northwest coordinator and co-founder Nancy Simmers published a piece on the Good Death Society blog, a project of Final Exit Network (FEN). To read more, visit Sharing VSED Resources In My Community – The Good Death Society Blog.
Reblog: Sharing VSED Resources via The Good Death Society Blog Read More »
