Alzheimers patient relieved at Quebecs assisted suicide policy shift [Video]

Sandra Demontigny was afraid of being a prisoner in her own body: a 45-year-old diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, she worried about losing control of her life and burdening those she loves for years.

But the Quebec resident said she is now “relieved” after the Canadian province approved advanced requests for medical assistance in dying (MAID), its voluntary euthanasia program.

As of Wednesday, Quebec has expanded access to euthanasia for people with neurodegenerative diseases. They will now be able to fill out a form — like a will — in anticipation of the time when they can no longer consent to care.

“I feel like I finally have control over what’s left of my life,” said Demontigny, a mother and midwife who lives in Quebec City.

MAID has been offered to the terminally ill in Quebec since 2015, and is widely accepted in the French-speaking province. By authorizing advance requests, Quebec …