This is the big one. It’s the part people tend to think of when they ask, “Do I qualify for MAiD?”

The law says a person must have a grievous and irremediable medical condition. Those are legal words, not medical ones — and they sound more intimidating than they actually are. “Grievous” just means serious. “Irremediable” means incurable, as in there are no medical interventions that can be expected to provide enduring improvement or restore acceptable levels of function.

One of the most common questions we get when teaching about MAiD is whether people with dementia are eligible. As with MAiD and mental illness, this really involves two questions: can someone have MAiD for dementia, and can someone have MAiD with dementia. Regarding mental illness, a person can have MAiD with a mental illness, but not for a mental illness…yet. For dementia, while the simple answer is yes to both for and with, the reality is more complex.

Interestingly, physical symptoms don’t even rank among the top three reasons people request MAiD. The leading concern is the “loss of ability to engage in meaningful activities,” followed by the “loss of ability to perform activities of daily living” (such as bathing, eating, toileting, and mobility). The third most cited reason is a “loss of dignity,” with “inadequate control of pain” coming in a distant fourth.

This is Part 2 of our series where we explain Quebec's new law allowing Advance Requests for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Part 1 explored the similarities and differences between Advance Requests for MAiD, general Advance Directives, and the Waiver of Final Consent. We recommend you give that a quick read here so you can understand the important differences, including why Advance Requests are needed.

In this two-part series, we will explain Quebec's new law allowing Advance Requests for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Part one will explore the similarities and differences between Advance Requests for MAiD, general Advance Directives, and the Waiver of Final Consent to help clarify what an Advance Request is (and isn't).