The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada says a recent survey around dementia and assisted dying missed the mark.
The survey—conducted by Narrative Research—shows 75 percent of Atlantic Canadians support easing the restrictions on Medically Assisted Dying to allow those with Alzheimer’s to make early requests for assisted death.
Pauline Tardif says the issue is too complicated to be properly discussed in a stand-alone survey.
“These challenges that we mention on healthcare, on families, on workplaces, on our economy are not going to diminish without very important investments and focus.”
Tardif says many families fear the impacts of dementia.
“We can help by providing respite programs, support groups, things like that, that can help alleviate the challenges of the caregivers.”
Tardif says a one-off survey can oversimplify complicated decisions around end of life care.
She is encouraged the survey is prompting those in the dementia community to have conversations about their choices.
But says federal and provincial governments need to provide more money for family supports and research.
A full statement from the Alzheimer’s Society can be found online.
