My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2022. She was a fiercely independent woman who had made it clear long before her diagnosis that her wish was to never live with her daughters and their families or in a care home.

In January 2023 she told her doctor that she wanted to be “dead by the end of the year” and he advised her about the option of MAID. My husband and I had spoken about MAID in the past for us, but especially early on in her diagnosis it had never crossed my mind that it might be an option for her. I had assumed it was just for diagnoses like ALS and cancer.

On March 15, 2024, she woke up and “everything was black.” She could not remember anything from the day before. She said that the “good Lord told her to pick a date” and she chose March 21 since 21 is a big number in our family.

We got to spend precious time with her that final week watching movies, playing games, stuffing ourselves with popcorn and chocolate, and drinking our favourite beverages.

The day of her provision we were leaving her condo and she asked me if she was still going to sleep in her own bed that night. After she consented to MAID and we were given time to be together one last time she looked around the room at her family and asked, “Well, what are we waiting for?” which brought a moment of laughter during a very sad time. She was ready.

I am a social worker in the pediatric intensive care unit of a children’s hospital. I have seen the death of a child way too many times, some tragically while heroic measures were being attempted. Others were gifted with some time to plan for a peaceful and beautiful death.

I found my mom’s diagnosis both fascinating and devastating to watch. I was so incredibly proud of her to choose when she was ready to end her suffering. I found it noble and brave. She was able to leave on her terms and with her dignity intact.