What is Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)?
LETHBRIDGE — End-of-life choices are important, sensitive and emotional. MAID is a healthcare option available to Albertans at the end of life. It allows a capable adult suffering from a grievous and irremediable medical condition to voluntarily request medicine that will bring about their death.
There are five phases of MAID:
Pre-contemplation — looking at and thinking about end-of-life care options
Contemplation — getting information about end-of-life care options.
Determination — assessment of eligibility and formal request for MAID
Action — confirming the request and patient death
Care after death — grief support
You may move back and forth between the phases, or choose not to proceed at any point. To qualify for this service, you must meet all of the eligibility criteria set out by federal law. Information about this law can be found here.