Talking about MAID
Eligibility Ineligibility
To be eligible for MAID in the U. S., one must be:
• A resident in one of the participating U. S. states and after jurisdictions, or able to travel to one of the states that allows non-residents to participate in MAID
• An adult aged 18 years or older
• Have a diagnosis of a terminal illness, which is an incurable and irreversible disease
• Have an estimated less than six months to live
• Mentally capable of making their own healthcare decisions, including at the time of administration
• Physically capable of self-administering the medication orally or rectally
There may be some circumstances in which you think the patient is ineligible for MAID based on your medical opinion, such as:
• They have longer than six months to live, or you believe their suffering can be relieved
• Their cognitive status prevents them from making their own healthcare decisions
• They are incapable of self-administering the medication
If you find yourself in a situation where you find a patient to be a poor fit for MAID, approach that conversation with empathy and understanding that it may be painful that they are not able to end their life on their own terms.
Visit deathwithdignity. org / states to see an updated list of states and jurisdicitions that allow MAID.
Talking about MAID
Many patients who ask about MAID may be simply gathering information about their options, or are processing their own feelings about mortality, even if they do not ultimately choose to pursue MAID.
Patients with PSP, CBD and MSA might consider MAID to:
Regain control and autonomy in an otherwise uncontrollable situation |
Find comfort in understanding their options, regardless of whether they pursue it |
End physical, spiritual and existential suffering associated with advanced disease stages |
Have the option to die with dignity on their own terms |
Feeling Prepared: Talking about Medical Aid in Dying( MAID)
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