Dear Editor:
I have written to Perth Wellington MP Matthew Rae and MPP John Nater asking if they can help with what I see as a major impediment to MAID (Medical Assistance In Dying) as it excludes those who are in the end stages of dementia.
Most of us probably have some personal knowledge of someone in this predicament. As the federal law now stands, anyone in this situation (catch 22) is not eligible for MAID as it is a requirement that before MAID can be administered, the demented individual must be able to verbally express his desire for MAID and acknowledge and that it will result in his demise. This is the case, even if he or she years ago had written in their end-of-life instructions that this is what they wanted to transpire.
In other situations, when for example, a person becomes brain dead as a result of MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident) the state has no objections to granting the family’s wish to discontinue ventilation and allow the harvesting of vital organs resulting in death. I myself have no arguments with this action.
They were not able to give verbal consent before the plug was pulled. I do not see that much difference in these two scenarios. I asked our local representatives to bring this matter to their respective legislatures to start the process to correct this Catch 22.
This would necessitate the repeal of the present law requiring that the individual with the advanced dementia (Alzheimer’s being one) must give consent to MAID and be aware of the result. If this law is allowed to stand as is, the person confined to this vegetative existence, probably unable to speak or understand and not able to recognize family or friends, must continue to an emotional and financial burden to the family.
I would also suggest that one should be able to give advanced consent to allow MAID in their end-of-life wishes. This could be validated in their will by their spouse, their powers of attorney and lawyer, and with the knowledge of their physician.
If this or something similar could be achieved it would go a long way towards correcting this presently unfair situation.
John Conners,
retired physician,
Listowel
