Warning: This article contains discussion of assisted dying which some readers may find distressing.
An elderly woman, who was reported to have reconsidered her decision regarding assisted dying, was euthanized despite her change of mind.
The woman in her 80s had initially applied to utilize the services of MAiD in Canada, known as ‘Medical Assistance in Dying’.
Canada permits assisted dying for patients who satisfy specific stringent criteria.
These criteria include the patient’s ability to make the decision independently without any external influence, suffering from a terminal and incurable condition, being in an ‘irreversible state of decline’, and providing informed consent for the procedure.
An official report by the Chief Coroner of Ontario’s Medical Assistance in Dying Death Review Committee reveals that the woman, identified as Mrs. B, was affected by complications following coronary bypass graft surgery and had asked her spouse to explore assisted dying options.
Her spouse contacted MAiD, and a practitioner assessed her eligibility the following day.
Despite this, Mrs. B reportedly expressed a desire to ‘withdraw her request, citing personal and religious values and beliefs’.
The report stated: “She communicated that pursuing in-patient palliative care/hospice care and palliative sedation was more in-keeping with her end-of-life goals.”
At that time, her spouse was reportedly experiencing ‘caregiver burnout’, and a request for hospice care was made but ultimately declined.
A second MAiD assessor was consulted following the spouse’s request, who ‘objected’ to the assisted dying process.
The report noted: “This MAiD practitioner expressed concerns regarding the necessity for ‘urgency’ and shared belief for the need for more comprehensive evaluation, the seemingly drastic change in perspective of end-of-life goals, and the possibility of coercion or undue influence (i.e., due to caregiver burnout).”
This assessor requested to meet Mrs. B the next day, but the request was denied, and instead, a third assessor met with her.
Mrs. B was subsequently euthanized, despite reportedly telling assessors she had changed her mind.
The Ontario MAiD Death Review Committee members have raised concerns that the decision was expedited due to the ‘short timeline’, as outlined in a report from the Office of the Chief Coroner.
Their concerns highlighted ‘the impact of being denied hospice care, additional care options, caregiver burden, consistency of the MAiD request, and divergent MAiD practitioner perspectives’, according to the report.
The report also stated: “Many members brought forward concerns of possible external coercion arising from the caregiver’s experience of burnout and lack of access to palliative care in an in-patient or hospice setting.”
However, the primary concern appeared to be that it was not Mrs. B who was actively pursuing assisted death, but that her spouse ‘was primary in advocating and navigating access to MAiD with limited documentation of the process being self-directed’.
“Moreover, the MAiD assessments were completed with the spouse present,” the report elaborated.
Assisted dying remains a contentious issue, with proponents arguing it ensures dignity in death and alleviates suffering, while critics are concerned about the erosion of regulations and safeguards, and the potential for individuals to be pressured into ending their lives.
For advice, support, and more information, you can contact Dignity in Dying via their website or email them at [email protected]. For more state resources, you can also contact End of Life Choices Oregon or Patient Choices Vermont.
Additionally, if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.