Mental capacity legislation

The Alzheimer’s Society supports new legislation on mental capacity

The Alzheimer’s Society welcomes the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) which gives increased legal rights and support for people with dementia and their carers.

The Alzheimer’s Society believes that the Act supports people with dementia and their carers by enabling them to be more involved in making important decisions about their lives.

In particular the Act allows people to set up lasting powers of attorney where they could nominate someone to make decisions for them once they are unable to do so. The Act also set a legal definition of mental capacity to reflect the fact that mental capacity can fluctuate over time.

For more details about the Alzheimer’s Society’s position on the draft Mental Incapacity Bill see the Alzheimer’s Society submission to the Joint Scrutiny Committee on the Mental Incapacity Bill.

The Alzheimer’s Society is a member of the Making Decisions Alliance which sucessfully campaigned for mental capacity legislation. For more information about the Making Decisions Alliance campaign please go to www.makingdecisions.org.uk

For more details about the Alzheimer’s Society’s position on the draft Mental Incapacity Bill, please click here.

Attachments:

• New rights a step closer (17 Dec 2004)
  
• Society issues statement about the mental capacity bill, advanced directives, and artificial nutrition and hydration after pro-life campaigners claim that the bill legalises euthanasia (20 Oct 2004)
  
• Who has the right to decide for us if we can't decide for ourselves? (19 Feb 2003)

If you would like a fuller briefing or more information please contact Vicki Combe, the campaigns officer on 0207 306 1181 or email vcombe@alzheimers.org.uk.