In her nearly three-decade career as a palliative care physician, Dr. Nathalie Allard has experienced providing end-of-life care in bustling hospital corridors, consulting with families separated only by a curtain from patients in distress. Recently, she participated in the inauguration of a new palliative care center in St-Charles-Borromée, northeast of Montreal, envisioning it as a potential workplace and final resting place.
Situated in the Lanaudière region, the state-of-the-art $8 million facility boasts ten rooms dedicated to caring for patients nearing the end of their lives, along with outpatient services aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals with terminal illnesses. Notably, the center features a specialized unit for medical assistance in dying, offering a spacious room where families can gather to bid farewell to their loved ones.
Healthcare professionals emphasize the facility’s importance in addressing the increasing demand for end-of-life services, including medical assistance in dying, which accounts for over ten percent of deaths in Lanaudière. The grand opening ceremony, held under a white tent with speeches and floral decorations, exuded a celebratory atmosphere, underscoring the significance of embracing all aspects of life’s journey, including its conclusion.
Despite concentrating on palliative care and refraining from conducting medical assistance in dying procedures personally, Dr. Allard believes that the transition to the end of life, including assisted death, can be commemorated as a significant event. She advocates for preparing and celebrating this inevitable moment, akin to preparing for a joyous occasion like a wedding.
Lanaudière stands out not only for its high rate of medically-assisted deaths but also for its aging population. The region, known for its natural beauty and charming towns, has a significant proportion of older adults, contributing to Quebec’s highest rate of medically-assisted death. Dr. Louis Daigle, a prominent physician and provider of medical assistance in dying in Lanaudière, notes the escalating demand for these services, putting strain on resources due to the frequency of procedures administered.
The growing elderly population in Lanaudière underscores the pressing need for comprehensive end-of-life care services. As demographic projections indicate a significant increase in the number of seniors in the region, the demand for a range of services, including palliative care and medical assistance in dying, is expected to rise substantially.
The new palliative care facility, a unique model in Quebec, funded predominantly by private contributions and now under public health authorities’ management, has the potential to serve as a blueprint for future endeavors in the field. Designed to offer a serene and dignified environment for patients and their families, the facility includes amenities such as a dedicated MAID room equipped for gatherings, a tranquil lounge for families, and personalized spiritual and culinary services, all provided at no cost.
Philippe Ethier, the head of the local health authority in Lanaudière, emphasizes the importance of adapting healthcare services to meet the evolving needs of an aging population. He views medical assistance in dying as an integral part of the continuum of care, acknowledging that end-of-life care, although a somber occasion, necessitates thoughtful planning and support to ensure the well-being and peace of patients and their families.