Everyone has the right to make decisions about their life, the care and services they receive and the risks they are willing to take including people living with dementia or other cognitive conditions. Some people may want or need support in making certain types of decisions. This is called supported decision-making.
While someone may not have the capacity to understand the extent of, and manage, their assets, for example, they can still make decisions about where they want to live and who they wish to spend time with. This may change over time.
A person whose capacity to make decisions is limited should be supported to make their own choices wherever possible. They should be provided with the information to do so in a form they can understand. Supported decision-making is endorsed in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and is supported in the National Decision-Making Principles recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission.
Karine on supported decision-making
Documents and external links
Learn more about supported decision-making. These documents and websites offer help, strategies, and practical information. Brief descriptions are provided for each document or link.
Support my decision
