Engaging Individuals in Navigating MAiD Champlain

Evolution of MAiD Legislation<br>

MAiD Eligibility Criteria Have coverage under a provincial health insurance plan
Be at least 18 years old
Be capable of making decisions about their health throughout the process
Make a voluntary request for MAiD, in writing.
The request must be witnessed by 1 independent witness.
Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition:
Incurable disease, illness or disability
Advanced state of irreversible decline in capabilities
Intolerable suffering not alleviated by any other means<br>

MAiD Process in the Champlain Region Referral to MAiD team
Intake appointment with a MAiD Care Coordinator/Nurse Navigator
Completion of their written request
2 independent medical assessments – This is when eligibility is determined.
If approved, it is up to the patient to determine if/when ready to proceed.
MAiD can happen at home, at the hospital, in hospices, in LTC, etc. It cannot take place in an organization that has a Catholic designation.<br>

What MAiD is not An urgent procedure
Guaranteed:
Patients need to meet ALL criteria to be approved
Patients need to have and maintain decision-making capacity. Someone can be approved for MAID but subsequently lose decision-making capacity and no longer be eligible
An advanced request<br>

The MAiD Journey Through Paul’s Story<br>

Paul & Lise Our love story: a beautiful beginning and …a truly dignified ending
8/12/2006-6/12 /2023<br>

My objectives for today Share my story as a caregiver and the one of my husband Paul, diagnosed with dementia at age 64 and going through MAID
Provide an understanding of the intricate, somewhat challenging additional steps involved when supporting a person with dementia going through MAID
Highlight the support and help I needed as a caregiver
Conclude with appreciation and learnings<br>

How it began… Paul and I met in 2004, fell in love, married and lived life fully, hiking, kayaking, camping, travelling and skiing. Paul was my best friend
Then …in 2020 (along with Covid) Paul was unwell and not wanting to do much. Dx - depression
Nothing helped and upon pushing for further tests
January 2022- Paul was 64
Dx - Early onset of fronto-temporal dementia<br>

The MAiD journey August 2023, Paul’s disease progressed rapidly
Upon discovering that Paul could qualify for MAiD, I had a serious conversation with him. Paul wanted to obtain MAiD.
Step 1 – submit an application form to the Champlain MAiD unit
Step 2 - a video call with the Nurse navigator and Paul
Step 3- two independant assessments
Conclusion – Paul was deemed capable to proceed with MAiD<br>

The dignified ending… It was 6pm on December 6th 2023.

It was peaceful, quiet and dignified.

Paul fell asleep.<br>

In Memory of Paul ‘There are no mistakes, only happy accidents’
~Bob Ross<br>

Supporting Loved Ones Who and How the MAiD team supports
Nurse Navigators are assigned to each patient. Referrals are made to Social Work, Spiritual Care or community resources, if needed
Patients, family members and any support persons are welcome to request/receive assistance
Navigating the system; reviewing patient wishes; status of support system; cultural or religious factors; process of grieving; etc
Reviewing logistics (ex: location of procedure, possible transfers, body or organ donation, etc.) which help to guide next steps
The MAiD team adapts to the unique needs of every patient and family (ex: practical supports, emotional support, use of humour, etc)

Benefits of Advanced Care Planning in Relation to MAiD
ACP provides an opportunity for open, end-of-life conversations; for wishes to be shared; for outstanding tasks or commitments to be fulfilled; and to ensure affairs are in order
This can reduce challenges and risks, and can help create more calm and less anxiety<br>

Grief and Bereavement Anticipatory and Disenfranchised grief
Acknowledgment of the grief and bereavement process as part of MAiD journey
Supporting patients/families when they do not tell others about MAiD
How to support patients and their wishes, while honouring what families are going through
Follow- up calls / check in<br>

Learnings and Appreciation The critical importance of the support role I carried as a caregiver and carrier for Paul and how I learned this from scratch
The balance between my need to “have everything planned “and Paul’s” desire and wish to be private and quiet”
The quiet, compassionate supportive approach of the MAID team and how in the end…in summary, I let a « stranger »…enter the intimacy of our bedroom and together with this « stranger » formed a circle of care and compassion for Paul to die with dignity<br>

Resources and Accessing Support Dying with Dignity Canada http://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/
Bridge C-14 www.bridgec14.org
Bereaved Families of Ontario - Ottawa Region http://www.bfo-ottawa.org/
MAiD Family Support Society https://maidfamilysupport.ca/
MyGrief.ca and KidsGrief.ca https://www.mygrief.ca/
Provincial site on MAiD https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/maid/
Distress Centres, Crisis Line, Kids Help Phone
Private Counselling / Community Health Centres<br>

Some Great Documentaries In My Own Time - FULL FILM

Choosing when to die: donating her organs through medical assistance in dying | CBC Docs POV (Her Last Project: www.herlastproject.ca)<br>

Thank you!<br>