Demonstrate how an individual with Dementia can be enabled to exercise their Rights and choices even when a Decision has not been Deemed to be in their best interests .
Making decision for individuals with dementia is about balancing risk and right. If the risk becomes very high, the person’s right may have to be reviewed carefully to make the best decision.
Take for example in my work place, Mrs Betty, a dementia patient, made a wish at her early stage of dementia that she should be allowed to remain in her house and cook her own food. Her wish was taken into consideration and Mrs Betty continues to live in her house cook her own food. Recently, there were concerns from neighbours that Mrs Betty always forget to turn off the gas cooker, and on a number of occasions, neighbours had to intervene to turn off the gas.
A meeting was held with the social worker and it was agreed that Mrs Betty continue to prepare her food but now has to use an electric cooker with an automatic turn off after 5 minutes of use. Mrs Betty would also have to be provided with a cook and pack meals so she has to heat it up for just 5mins.
In Mrs Betty case, her rights and choice have been preserved, although she would have to use the cooker to heat up prepared meal.
