They are still here.

The elderly have lives, stories, contributions, and continued presence to offer. They are not waiting to die. They are still here — and dignity at this stage of life requires intergenerational connection, real eldercare, and protection against neglect and isolation.

The pressure on older lives

MAID began for the terminally ill; where it has been legalized, it has expanded. Canada now permits it for chronic but non-terminal conditions and has moved to add mental illness alone as a qualifying criterion. In Canada, Belgium, and the Netherlands, elderly people who feel they are a burden on their families and on the healthcare system are among the fastest-growing populations requesting it.

The narrative of 'sparing your family the burden,' combined with stretched eldercare systems, creates pressure that a patient experiences as their own choice but that is structurally produced. We push back: the answer to elderly suffering is not a quicker death, but better care, better community, and better presence.

How we serve the elderly

• Education on MAID and elder dignity
• Partnerships with hospice, faith communities, and elder-care organizations
• Life Showers for elder care and veterans facilities
• Intergenerational programs that fight isolation and loneliness
• Standing against elder neglect, abuse, and the despair that isolation breeds