Canada's federal legislation regarding Medical Assistance in Dying was enacted on June 17, 2016. Since that time the government has provided updates using data collected by federal, provincial and territorial governments. The third, and latest, report indicated a nearly 30 percent increase in medically assisted deaths over the previous six months. Since the legislation's inception 3, 714 Canadians have received medical aid in dying.
A local church will be presenting a workshop called The Dying Healed Program, a project of LifeCanada, to look at end of life issues, human suffering, dignity and the power of human presence. Facilitating the workshop will be Jacqueline Saretsky, Coordinator of Hospital Chaplaincy for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. A primary area of interest for her is end of life care. "Working in the hospitals offers me the opportunity to visit with patients and their family members and many of the conversations center on end of life care," she explained. "People are very ill informed of what is out there for community support, when it comes to the increased care needs of their loved ones. There is also limited knowledge of palliative care. It is important to inform people what good care looks like and how it can be made available to them, especially now with the legalization of euthanasia (Medical Assistance in Dying)." It is hoped that by opening up these discussions it will help fill the deficit of information that exists across the country. It is not a localized issue; it is across Canada, which is why this workshop was created in Canada for Canadians.
The primary goal of the workshop is to inform people of the need for volunteers in our communities, care facilities and hospitals, and it has become of particular interest to children who find themselves as caregivers to their parents and are looking for information on end of life care. Saretsky has noticed a difference in the way some patients talk about death and dying in the last couple of years. "The conversations I have with patients has changed somewhat, since the legalization of euthanasia in Canada," she remarked. "Those patients, who do not have the support of a family, or others to help them on their journeycan become fearful when they don’t know who is going to care for them, or if they don’t know what kind of care is available to them. This fear can become so great for some people that euthanasia may be seen as the only option.I believe we as a society have failed, when those who are most vulnerable and entrusted to our care, feel the only option they have is to die, as they see no other way out of their dilemma."
Natalie Soonen, executive director at LifeCanada reminds people of the importance of being connected with others in every stage of life. "Each one of us can play a part in this great drama of life by being involved in the charitable work of visiting those who are alone, suffering or at end of life.”
This can be a difficult process but Saretsky says it is important to understand the power of human presence. "The love and attentiveness of a caring volunteer can change how a patient, or person who is suffering, or lonely sees himself or herself. People need to feel valued and a volunteer who sits at the bedside or who visits those who have no one, can make someone feel like somebody cares about them."
The Dying Healed workshop will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 520 Pangman Street in Outlook on Saturday, May 4. To register call Jacqueline at 306-292-5531 or jsaretsky@rcdos.ca. Cost $15 for workbook. Freewill lunch.
