Dear friends,

Currently, patients of dementia are ineligible for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in all states of Australia. However, dementia is a serious and progressive terminal disease, and in the late stage can lead to loss of the ability to look after oneself as well as decision-making capabilities. Eligibility for VAD should therefore be considered before this point of dementia.

Symptoms at level 6 of the disease include loss of recognition, incontinence, distress, anger, distorted imagination and other impacts on daily function. As such, dementia falls into the eligibility criteria of suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner considered tolerable, and that which will lead to death. These are factors considered by the Australian states that allow VAD when assessing a person's medical condition. Therefore the ability to make decisions concerning assisted dying should be protected for patients of dementia, in accordance with the voluntary choice and capability of a person to make this decision.

The undersigned petitioners therefore request the House of Representations for the right of dementia patients to be eligible for Voluntary Assisted Dying.

At level 6 of dementia, symptoms affect the ability to live independently, and can cause undue suffering to patients of dementia. Thus, within 12 months of diagnosis of this level, and whilst the patient has the ability to make decisions concerning assisted dying, access to VAD should be granted.