Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking (VSED):
A little-known End of Life Option
As modern technology prolongs our lives, a life well-lived can often end with a long and painful struggle. Increasingly there are choices available about end-of-life options that afford greater personal control over the time and manner of death. A “good death” is more likely when medical practitioners and those supporting the dying person are more informed about these options.
The Project EngAGE End of Life Choices Senior Resource Team proudly hosts Elliott and Susan Schaffer for a discussion of the medical, ethical and legal issues involving VSED, Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking, a little-known end of life option. They will share with us the end of life story of Susan’s mother, Beatrice Belopolsky, a resident of a retirement community in New Jersey.
Elliott Schaffer, MD, is a retired geriatrician who was formerly the Medical Director at Martins Run Life Care Community in Media, Pa. Susan Schaffer, JD, is a retired attorney who was formerly Senior Counsel at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
A little-known End of Life Option
As modern technology prolongs our lives, a life well-lived can often end with a long and painful struggle. Increasingly there are choices available about end-of-life options that afford greater personal control over the time and manner of death. A “good death” is more likely when medical practitioners and those supporting the dying person are more informed about these options.
The Project EngAGE End of Life Choices Senior Resource Team proudly hosts Elliott and Susan Schaffer for a discussion of the medical, ethical and legal issues involving VSED, Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking, a little-known end of life option. They will share with us the end of life story of Susan’s mother, Beatrice Belopolsky, a resident of a retirement community in New Jersey.
Elliott Schaffer, MD, is a retired geriatrician who was formerly the Medical Director at Martins Run Life Care Community in Media, Pa. Susan Schaffer, JD, is a retired attorney who was formerly Senior Counsel at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
