Increasing understanding
If a patient or family approaches you about the MAID process, take some time to explore why they are asking. This will help foster an open conversation and guide you on how to best support them.
Questions you can ask:
What is causing you to seek end-of-life options?
What symptoms are most bothersome to you? Maybe there are ways to treat or ease those problems directly.
Are there specific worries you have about getting sicker or the dying process?
Have you explored alternative options, such as palliative care or hospice care?
Have you talked with the trusted people in your life about this?
Who in your life would be able to support you through this process?
Once you have more information, potential next steps may be to:
• Begin discussions with the patient about the MAID process( including whether or not the patient is interested in clinician- or patientadministration of the medication).
• Refer to a social worker, chaplain / spiritual care provider or mental health professional for psychosocial needs such as anticipatory grief, meaning making, mood or existential angst
• Refer to a palliative care team to further discuss MAID
• Refer to online resources and programs( some are listed at the end of this resource)
• Educate on other types of comfort care or end of life options
MAID can be brought up to patients and families among a list of types of end-of-life care options:
• Advanced directives( i. e., DNR / DNI)
• Palliative care to help alleviate suffering
• Hospice( medical or non-medical)
• Voluntary stopping of eating and drinking( VSED)*
• In Quebec, Advance Request for MAID
Additional Resources
• Dying with Dignity
• Local hospice and palliative care organizations
• Neurology and palliative social work professionals
* VSED is another end-of-life in which people voluntarily stop eating or drinking to advance their time of death. It can be a valid option for people who may be ineligible or do not want to pursue MAID for any reason. Visit compassionandchoices. org / vsed for more information on VSED.
For more information on PSP, CBD and MSA, you can email info @ curepsp. org or call 800-457-4777. To access resources for healthcare professionals on PSP, CBD and MSA visit psp. org / iwanttolearn / healthcare-professionals.
Make sure that the patient knows they can ask questions if they have them.
Feeling Prepared: Talking about Medical Aid in Dying( MAID)
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