MC2 Who decides on your behalf?

Imagine you lack mental capacity. Perhaps you can recall what it felt like when you drank too much alcohol or you came around from an anaesthetic. Try to remember how this made you feel. Now try this activity about Doris.

Doris is an 89-year-old woman, living alone. You are a relative who lives some distance away and you’re concerned that Doris is losing her memory, not looking after herself properly and is no longer able to make decisions for herself.

Visit the website of your local authority. Find out:

• how you would report concern about Doris to social services
• what role you have as her relative.

Does the information that you have found help you to know if a decision maker is needed for Doris and if so, who might that be and for what decision? It can help to make notes with your findings for later reference.