Is MAiD Right for you?

In the state of Colorado, those who are 18 years or older and have a terminal illness can consider Medical Aid in Dying as a way of planning for their inevitable end of life. Some interesting facts about MAiD in Colorado:

• The “residential requirement” means that a person, in order to be eligible for MAiD, can either be a long-standing resident OR obtain a short term rental or lease in Colorado. The duration of Lease or rental does not currently matter. Some people who currently live outside of Colorado and wish to travel to Colorado for MAiD can consider rentals. Doulas who support MAiD can be very helpful with this.

• Ingestion of the medication that is MAiD must be done IN Colorado if ordered in Colorado. It can be ingested orally, with feeding tube, or rectally.

• If MAiD is used for a planned end of life, the Death Certificate for that individual will read cause of death as; either the terminal illness diagnosis (ex Cancer) or sometimes, heart failure. However, it WILL NOT include information regarding the ingesting of the MAiD Medications.

• Those with Hospice services while using MAiD will NOT Be subjected to a coroner’s investigation

• A person choosing to use MAiD must show capacity; meaning that they are able to make decisions about a specific medical intervention while understanding the benefits vs burdens of that specific intervention. -The Medical Doctor prescribing MAiD will evaluate capacity of their patients.

• Not all Assisted Living facilities allow MAiD ingestion.

If you have more questions regarding this very personal decision, please feel free to call me for a free initial consultation