Dementia and MAiD

Authors

  • Mark Lachmann, MD, MHSc, MA, FCFP, FRCPC
  • Gina D. Eom, MD, PhD, FRCPC
  • Eric E. Brown, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Abstract

MAiD assessors and providers will encounter patients with some form of dementia in two ways. In the first instance, they may be asked to assess a patient who has a dementia but the primary diagnosis underlying the MAiD request is based on a different underlying illness, such as cancer or heart failure. In the second instance, the MAiD request may stem directly from the dementia itself. An understanding of the context in which MAiD is provided when dementia is present may be helpful for MAiD assessors and providers. Here, we will also explore the diagnosis of dementia itself to support MAiD assessors and providers as they engage with patients and families around this complex diagnosis.

Author Biographies

Mark Lachmann, MD, MHSc, MA, FCFP, FRCPC

Dr. Lachmann is a geriatric psychiatrist at Sinai Health. He is an associate professor at the University of Toronto with interest in cross cultural community based seniors care, trauma informed care, and aging with developmental disability. He is the Geriatric Psychiatry Director for the Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Office in Ontario and sits on the Geriatric and Long Term Care Death Review Committee of the Coroner's Office. Prior to geriatric psychiatry, Dr. Lachmann worked as a family physician for nine years on James Bay and Baffin Island.

Gina D. Eom, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Gina Eom is a geriatric psychiatrist and dementia specialist at Sinai health systems. She does inpatient consultations at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Canada's largest complex continuing care and post-acute care hospital. An important part of her clinical work is outreach home visits to vulnerable seniors. Her interests lie in advance care planning in dementia and complex cases.

Eric E. Brown, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Dr. Eric Brown is a psychiatrist and associate scientist, Associate Chief of the Geriatric Psychiatry Division at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He is a leader of MAiD-related services at CAMH. His research focuses on risk factors of age-related mental health conditions and dementia.

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Published

2026-05-20

Issue

Volume 2, Issue 1, Spring 2026

Section

Articles