Canada provides two forms of MAID. One option is often referred to as euthanasia. A MAID practitioner administers drugs to cause death. The other form is often referred to as assisted suicide. A medication is prescribed to an individual for self-administration that will cause death.
MAID is a well laid out process. You must be 18 years old, and mentally competent with a provincial health card. You must have a diagnosis with a grievous and irremediable medical condition. The request has to be made by the person requesting MAID, with no outside pressure or influence. You have to be able to give informed consent to receive MAID.
A grievous and irremediable medical condition is a serious illness, disease or disability. It must be in an advanced state of decline and cannot be reversed. You must experience unbearable physical or mental suffering from your illness.
To receive MAID, you must give an informed consent at the time of request, and immediately before receiving medical assistance. You can withdraw your consent at any time.
Since the legalization of MAID in June 2016 the numbers have increased from 2,838 in the first year, to 13,241 in 2022. MAID accounts for 4.1% of deaths in Canada. Canada is nearing the Netherlands which has a global high of 5.1%. Their practice was legalized in 2002.
Canada has one of the most permissive eligibilities criteria in the world. In March 2027, those with a mental disorder as the sole underlying condition will be considered for MAID. Canada currently does not have advanced request for MAID to be made. Visitors to Canada are not eligible for MAID. Switzerland is the only country that doesn't require residency to provide MAID. Switzerland and the US only have legislation that allows for assisted death.
In 2022, the average age of Canadians undergoing MAID was 77 years. Cancer was the most cited underlying medical condition at 63 per cent, followed by cardiovascular conditions at roughly 19 per cent.
I am going to share my friend's story about her mom receiving MAID. Her mom was elderly and had a lung condition that couldn't be treated. Each day she got worse, and her mom knew she wasn't going to get better. She made the decision to apply for MAID and a date was determined for the assisted death. The family spent their time with their mom, making memories and saying their good-byes. When the time came for MAID, her mom wanted to be alone, and the family granted her wishes. My friend was at such peace with her mom's decision and said it was an amazing experience. Everyone was so professional and even though they were sad that their mom's life was over, she wasn't suffering anymore.
MAID is a very controversial topic, in which everyone is entitled to their opinion. At the end of my career, the option of MAID was just becoming more common. I have watched so much suffering during my career, I am relieved the option of assisted death is available. I have always said there are worst things than death, and that is to watch a loved one suffer.
I once said that there are three things we can't control: birth, death and the weather. We all know how birth rolls out, and with the availability of MAID there is some control on when a death will occur. I doubt that Mother nature will ever give up control of the weather. Bless her for that.
Comments
Post a Comment