“Is terminal sedation in hospice legal?”
My grandmother is 90 years old and is in hospice care. My mom is discussing the option of terminal sedation now with her doctor... but I thought this was actually illegal. Is this form of sedation legal?
6 Answers
Voluntary assisted dying is legal in some states and in some countries
In New York-as far as I am aware, it is legal and considered as part of end of life care.
Yes, it is legal.
Some people ask for IV sedation. I cannot allow it. It is a kind of assisted suicide.
This form of sedation is actually not illegal, but the question is does your mother have health care proxy authority for your grandmother? In other words, does she have legal authority to make health care related decisions for your grandmother? If you are uncomfortable with the idea, it might be worthwhile to discuss it with your mother and your grandmother's hospice physician. It can be a highly charged ethical minefield, not unlike so-called "assisted suicide."
No it is not legal yet. It’s the same as Euthanasia.
