Helping people navigate Medical Aid in Dying
in Vermont
No one should have to navigate this process alone.
What is Medical Aid in Dying?
Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is an end-of-life option for adults who are terminally ill and meet specific requirements.
MAID allows an eligible person to request, from a qualified medical provider, the medication that they may choose to take to hasten their death. If they choose to use the medication, they decide when and whether to take it.
The choice always belongs to the individual. They must be able to make the request themselves and make their own decisions about their care. Receiving the medication does not mean they have to take it.
Medical Aid in Dying in Vermont
In Vermont, Medical Aid in Dying is authorized under the state’s Patient Choice at End of Life Law, also known as Act 39.
MAID is available to eligible Vermont residents and to eligible people who come to Vermont from other states.
Eligibility requirements must be met, and the process involves specific steps and safeguards. To learn more about Vermont’s law and eligibility requirements, visit Patient Choices Vermont.
Patient Choices Vermont
Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) provides information and education about Medical Aid in Dying and other end-of-life options in Vermont for individuals, families, and healthcare professionals.
Our Relationship with Patient Choices Vermont
The Wayfinders Network and Patient Choices Vermont are separate groups. We work independently while supporting and collaborating with one another.
Both groups are committed to helping people in Vermont access clear information, compassionate support, and meaningful choice at the end of life.
How can we help you?
The Wayfinders Network provides compassionate, practical support to people and families exploring Medical Aid in Dying in Vermont.
We help you understand your options, prepare for what comes next, and make decisions that reflect your values, wishes, and priorities. Our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and confident in your choices.
What is a Wayfinder?
A Wayfinder is a trained, non-medical guide who helps individuals and families navigate the Medical Aid in Dying process.
A Wayfinder can help you:
Understand the Medical Aid in Dying process and what to expect
Identify next steps
Connect with appropriate providers and resources
Think through practical details and planning
Prepare for conversations with family and loved ones
Plan for the physical and emotional support you may need
Adjust plans when circumstances change
Provide steady support throughout the process
Choosing Medical Aid in Dying can involve many people and many decisions. You may be working with doctors, other healthcare providers, family members, and caregivers. There may also be practical details to consider, from where you want to be to who you want with you.
A Wayfinder helps you navigate these decisions and coordinate the many pieces of the process. We offer information, planning support, and a steady presence while respecting that you remain in control of your decisions.
Finding the Right Wayfinder
Every Wayfinder brings their own experience, perspective, and style of support. Finding someone who feels like the right fit for you and your family is important.
The questions below can help you understand how a Wayfinder works, what kind of support they provide, and what you may want to ask when choosing someone to work with.
Choosing a Wayfinder
There is no single “right” Wayfinder for everyone. The choice depends on what matters most to you and your family.
You might choose a Wayfinder based on:
Where they are located
Their availability
Their professional background or experience
The types of support they offer
Their fees
Or simply whether you feel comfortable with them and feel they are a good fit
It can be helpful to think about what is most important to you before reaching out. But you do not need to have everything figured out before choosing a Wayfinder.
Choosing a Location
If you are coming to Vermont from another state, location may be part of your decision. Vermont is a small state, but mountains and rural roads can make travel times longer than they appear on a map.
You can look for a Wayfinder near where you plan to stay or choose a Wayfinder first and then learn more about where they provide services.
Your Wayfinder can help you plan the most practical way to get there based on where you are coming from, your mobility, and how you plan to travel. This may include information about airports, driving routes, lodging, and travel times.
You do not need to have your travel or lodging plans figured out before you reach out. Your plans can take shape as you move through the process, and your Wayfinder can help you along the way.