Legislation and frameworks for dementia Essay Example

if they are unable to do this themselves. It supports people who have dementia as it makes sure that all adults have the right to make their own decisions if they have the capacity to do this. The adults also must be assumed to have the mental capacity unless it is proven otherwise, and any decision made for a person who lacks mental capacity must be in their best interest.

It also makes sure that if a person makes an unwise decision they shouldn’t be treated as if they have a lack in capacity. These legislations do things like taking over finance if the person doesn’t understand how to do this, having carers to look after them in the daytime or be in full time care, where they will be looked after 24 hours a day, and it makes sure that people cannot judge them just because they have mental issues. This legislation affects the persons care as it allows them to make their own decisions, such as if they want to go into a care home, or if they don’t want to take medication. It makes sure that they have the freedom to decide things on their own, without having someone make all of their decisions for them.

Mental Health Act 1983 amended 2007

This act covers the treatment, assessment and care of mentally disorientated people. This act determines if a person can be detained for treatment and an assessment regarding a mental health disorder (such as a dementia patient can be kept in hospital for medication that they need). An assessment is made to make sure that the person is

eligible to be detained and given medication. An example of this would be a dementia patient getting an assessment to decide if he or she needs to stay in hospital for treatment and be detained or if they can go home and refuse the treatment, and they would have to meet most of the criteria in order for this to happen. The act regulates that an application for the treatment must be supported my 2 medical practitioners, and that they both agree on the patients care, by stating why the treatment is necessary.

This affects the dementia patients care as it allows them to receive treatment, in order for them to become healthier and well again. The dementia patient may not understand the rights in the act, so health care workers have a duty of making sure that the patient is safe in their environment, such as at home, in a residential home or in hospital. This affects the patients care, as it ensures that they do not injure themselves and that they are being cared for properly, e.g. the risk of them falling would be much lower as they have the support from the people around them to ensure their safety. The act was also amended in 2007 and it made changes to two things, these are: that a mental disorder is a single definition, rather than having different categories. And it enables practitioners to perform the same job as a social worker. This would affect the care of the patient as they are not being judged and they have more people ensuring that they are safe in their surroundings.

Frameworks