New guide for decision-making for people with dementia, their carers, partners and families

Alzheimer Scotland has today published a new guide, Dementia: making decisions, which provides practical advice and information on decision-making for people who have been appointed to make decisions on behalf of someone with dementia, either as an attorney, guardian (Scotland) or deputy (England and Wales).

The guide was informed by a study of over 100 carers with proxy decision-making powers, funded by the Nuffield Foundation. Its author, Jan Killeen has also written a briefing paper on the study itself, which will be published shortly.

The guide was launched this afternoon by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, who said:

“I welcome this practical guide to decision-making for family members, partners or friends who have power of attorney or guardianship for someone with dementia.

“I know from listening to carers just how challenging that caring role can be, and this will be a significant resource in helping loved ones in that key caring role.