For People With Dementia, Changes in MAiD Law Offer New Hope

People with dementia have been caught in a cruel trap under Canada’s medical assistance in dying law (MAiD) – until now. As their suffering advanced, their decision-making capacity receded, but the capacity to make their own health-care decisions was required at the moment of MAiD itself . Access to MAiD balanced on the knife-edge of reaching an intolerable state of suffering prior to completely losing capacity . People were forced to choose to end their lives earlier than they wanted. With the passage of legislation amending Canada’s MAiD law ( Bill C-7 ), this dilemma will be over for many.