California's End of Life Option Act enables terminally ill patients to request aid-in-dying drugs, but discussions are needed about including Alzheimer's patients in the future.
The law stipulates that only individuals with capacity and diagnosed terminal illnesses can request aid in dying, excluding advance directives and healthcare proxies.
Sen. Catherine Blakespear acknowledges powerful sentiments from families regarding memory loss and the desire for control over death, sparking debates on dementia's inclusion.
Expanding the law to include dementia raises significant ethical considerations, particularly regarding patient autonomy and the potential for compromised decision-making.
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