Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) allows eligible people who are suffering from a terminal health condition to receive medical assistance to end their life, under specific legal and medical guidelines.
Tips & Links
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) has become an important decision in Canada as it provides individuals with the legal option to end their suffering due to severe illness or disability, allowing for a more compassionate and dignified end-of-life choice.
Learn More
- Learn about the eligibility criteria for those who can have MAiD. A thorough assessment process is carried out by 2 health care professionals in order to confirm eligibility as outlined by the Government of BC.
- Know that the eligibility criteria for MAiD describes that the health condition must be ‘grievous and irremediable’ and one that is serious and incurable, causing enduring suffering that is intolerable to the individual. The condition can be due to illness, disease, injury, or disability.
- Understand that you must provide informed consent, meaning you fully understand the nature of MAiD and its implications. You have the right to refuse or withdraw your request at any time. how to navigate the steps for medical assistance in dying from Dying with Dignity Canada.
- Understand that when you start the process it may take up to 7 days to coordinate, getting 2 assessments, and where and who you want to support the provision of MAiD.
- Learn how to start a formal request for MAiD by completing the BC Ministry of Health’s Patient Request Record (form 1632). You can submit the form to your family physician, nurse practitioner, specialist, or to the MAiD Care Coordination Service for your health authority (see contact information at the end of the form).
- Watch the video “Navigating a request for medical assistance in dying in BC” by Dr Osmann Sheikh for a summary.
Find Support
- Find some peace of mind by sharing your feelings and exploring end-of-life choices with the people you trust.
- Discuss your decisions with family, trusted individuals, and those responsible for specific tasks. While these conversations may be emotional, they can be essential for peace of mind.
- Explore the option of having those close to you connect with a peer support volunteer prior to a medical assistance death from MAID Family Support.
- Learn about how other families and family caregivers are coping with the grief and loss of a loved one through Family-Caregivers of BC.
- Find space and opportunity to incorporate meaningful cultural and spiritual rituals or practices into your health care journey, end of life care, and MAID preparation.
- Consider contacting the trained volunteers at BC Bereavement Helpline – Toll free at 1-877-779-2223 or email them at contact@bcbh.ca for support and understanding.
- Explore the many resources for end-of-life support provided by Dying with Dignity Canada.
Mywell Health helps you organize your health choices and decision documents in one place. File both digital and print copies and information under My End of Life Decisions.