McGill Cares - Understanding the Quebec Act Respecting End-of-Life Care

Carmen Desjardins, BSc(N) is Program Manager of the Dementia and Psychiatric Comorbidities Program at the Douglas Research Institute.  She was the chief and founder of the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) ambulatory team of the Montreal West Island Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal).  She has been involved in implementing their Alzheimer’s plan and is a member of the panel of experts who develop MSSS guidelines for treating BPSD and for the Centre of Excellence on Longevity. During this special one-hour McGill Cares  webcast, Ms. Desjardins will clearly explain Quebec’s Act Respecting End‑of‑Life Care. This legal framework is designed to better support people at the end of life by reducing suffering and ensuring care is provided with dignity and compassion, according to their wishes.   Ms. Desjardins will walk us through what end‑of‑life care really means, including palliative care, continuous palliative sedation, medical aid in dying, and advance medical directives. She will explain when and how these options apply, what they are meant to protect, and why they matter. The session will also clarify the important concepts of decision‑making capacity and incapacity, which are central to understanding this Act.  This free webcast is available in both English and French. June 10, 2026