Understanding the Mental Capacity Act

The Mental Capacity Act is more than just “more legislation”…

Decisions, decisions. We all make them hundreds of times a day – from deciding what to wear, what to eat, how much to spend on something… We do it almost without thinking because we are able to understand (in most cases) the results of our decision making process. For those with cognitive impairments, for example, dementia or learning disabilities, decision making can be difficult and this is where the Mental Capacity Act comes into play.

Being able to make your own decisions defines you as a person. A good caring structure helps and supports someone to make a decision on their own. However, there will be times when the decision is really just too big or too complicated for a person to make.

What do you, as the care organisation do?…You follow the Mental Capacity Act which sets out a series of rules that should be followed when supporting someone to make a decision. They enable the person to understand, retain and communicate the information needed to make the decision which is always time and decision-specific.

The types of decisions you may be required to make can range from the simplest ones of what to wear, what to eat all the way to choosing where to live or spending large sums of money. Of course, one of the biggest decisions may revolve around finance or medical treatment.

You may be reading this and starting to worry about the responsibilities you’re being asked to take on but don’t worry; it wouldn’t be all on you. You would have support from relevant professionals to ensure the right choices are made in the persons ‘best interest’.

Our Mental Capacity training course, which also looks at Deprivation of Liberties, can help you with this. Please call us and we will be happy to have a chat and book you in.