At what stage might someone with early dementia still be able to access VAD?
A person with early dementia may only be able to access VAD if they still have capacity and meet all other legal criteria, which can be a narrow and uncertain window.
If VAD is possible for a person with early dementia, it is most likely to be while they can still understand, decide and communicate for themselves. They must also meet every other legal requirement in their state or territory.
Early dementia alone may not be enough. The person may still be too early in the illness to meet the medical eligibility criteria.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. Dementia, capacity and VAD eligibility need individual assessment by authorised practitioners. Rules differ between states and territories.
Two things must be true at the same time
The person must still have decision-making capacity for VAD. They must also have an eligible illness that is advanced, progressive and expected to cause death within the required legal timeframe, where a timeframe applies.
This is why dementia creates such hard timing problems. A person may have capacity early on but not yet meet the illness criteria. Later, they may meet medical criteria but no longer have capacity.
Ask early, but expect assessment
If the person wants information, they can ask their GP, specialist or the official VAD care navigator service. Asking for information is not the same as being found eligible.
Capacity may need careful assessment. Communication support, interpreters or speech pathology input may help if the person has trouble speaking but can still decide.
You may also want to read
- What is an advance care directive?
- Can someone with dementia access VAD?
- How early should I start the VAD process?
- Can I request VAD in an advance care directive?