Legislation and Dementia Care
Task 7- Rebecca Mason
The sufferer of Dementia can choose who has the right to be in control and this is usually done before a deterioration in the individuals mental state occurs. This was made possible by the provision of The Mental Capacity Act of 2005.
These rights include:
- The right to life
- The freedom from torture and inhumane or degrading treatment
- Right for your private home and family life
- Right to participate in free elections
The Data Protection Act gives an individual the right to access their own personal data.Any professional, for example care workers working with dementia patients, who comes into contact with any personal information must comply to the Act.
- Processed fairly and lawfully
- Obtained for specified and lawful purposes
- Adequate, relevant and not excessive
- Accurate and up to date
- Not kept for any longer than necessary
Mental Capacity Act- It empowers and protects those who can't make decisions for themselves. It also makes clear who can make decisions in which situations.
The Act has 5 main principles-
- A presumption of capacity
- Individuals being supported to make their own decisions
- Unwise decisions
- Best interests
- Least restrictive option
The act says that all working with the vulnerable must undergo ‘vetting’ and those who are on barred lists are NOT allowed to work with the vulnerable groups of society.
Dementia sufferers are hugely protected by this act, they may be unaware of the correct or incorrect care they should be receiving; increasing their risk of harm.
Mental Health Act- provides legislation, which says that a person with a mental health disorder can be sectioned or detained in hospital or in police custody against their will.
The Act has a few main parts-
- Application of the Act
- Compulsory admission to hospital and guardianship
- Patients concerned in criminal proceedings or under sentence
- Consent to treatment
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
A shared vision and commitment to the transformation of adult social care-
This framework sets out support and legislation and works with organizations such as the NHS, carers and families to give individuals the best care.
It has shared and agreed values that ensure people are supported to be able to:
- Live independently
- Stay healthy and recover quickly from illness
- Exercise maximum, control over their own life
- Sustain a family unit
- Participate as active and equal citizens
- Have the best quality of life possibly to them
- To retain maximum dignity and respect
Single Equality Act- Brought together already existing legislation on discrimination and equality, to help solve outstanding discrimination issues.
The act covers things such as:
- The Equal Pay Act 1970
- The Disability Discrimination ACT 1995
- The Employment Equality (age) Regulations 2006
- The Race Relations Act 1967
The act defines discrimination as being from disability, failure to apply adjustments for an individual, harassment and victimization.
The strategy aims to develop services for people with dementia, along with their carers; will meet the needs of everyone, regardless of their age, social status and ethnic group.
The strategy aims to do three main things:
•Ensure better knowledge about Dementia and remove the stigma
•Ensure early diagnosis, support and treatment for people with Dementia and their families
•Develop services to meet changing needs better
The strategy has 17 main aims based around wanting to set up a system where people affected by Dementia are supported to:
• know where to go for help
• know what services can be expected
• seek help early for problems related to Dementia