Medical Aid in Dying

My name is Lindsey Warren of Journey With Compassion LLC and I am an End-of-life Doula that has specialized training as a WayfinderTM  from Patient Choices VT and the Academy of Aid in Dying Medicine for navigating the process of Medical Aid in Dying (Vermont’s Act 39).  I believe everyone has the right to choose how and when they depart this lifetime. I support both Vermonters and out of state clients that seek to utilize this end of life choice.

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To qualify under Vermont's Act 39, the patient must:

• Be 18 years or older

• Have a terminal illness with six months or less to live

• Be capable of making their own health care decisions

• Be making an informed and voluntary request

• Be able to self-administer the medication

If you fulfill the above criteria, then to pursue eligibility you must:

• Make two oral requests 15 days apart to the physician who will write the prescription

• Make a written request in the form required

• Have a second physician confirm that the patient qualifies

 

*All 3 appointments and taking the prescription must occur in Vermont*

 

Once you qualify:

• Your doctor will write a prescription and provide you with instructions, including where to have the prescription filled.  ​Ask them to advise you about whether you can swallow and absorb the oral medication so that it will work as intended. 

• It is your choice whether or not to take the medication.  It is also your choice to decide who you want to be with you if you use the medication.  We recommend that your hospice nurse and doula be present, as well as close family or friends. 

• You will need to locate suitable housing for your appointments and ingestion or have a Wayfinder help you with this.

• You will need to arrange for after-death care or have a Wayfinder help you with this.

This information and other FAQs can be found at Patient Choices VT.

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