At the end-of-life choices discussion this afternoon, the subject of VSED was raised. Stopping eating and drinking as a means of exiting this world is probably as old as mankind itself and may occur much more often in nursing homes that we know. The above video by Phyllis Schacter is very descriptive of VSED and the impact on a couple.
Several folks wanted to know more about the VSED conference being held in October at nearby Seattle University School of Law. Click here for more information:
“OCTOBER 14-15, 2016 | 12.5 CLE CREDITS, PENDING; 12.5 CME CREDITS APPROVED; 12.5 SOCIAL WORK CEU CREDITS APPROVED; NURSING CREDITS APPLIED FOR
“Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) is one way to assuredly hasten death. Although generally regarded as legal, VSED has not gained nearly as much public or scholarly attention as aid-in-dying, though the latter is legal in only five states. This interdisciplinary conference will address ethical, legal, clinical, religious, personal, family, and institutional issues that arise with VSED, including contexts of hospice and dementia care. Many presentations will be published in the Seattle Journal of Social Justice, a publication of Seattle University School of Law.”