Library guides: Future planning and dementia: Content

Dementia Australia resources

Future planning presented by Sarah Breusch
In this video we are joined by Sarah Breusch, discussing the legal documents you may wish to consider after a diagnosis of dementia. The video will outline the role of a Power of Attorney and an Enduring Guardian, as well as the relevance of having a will. It introduces some of the issues which may need to be considered in preparing these documents.
Understanding Capacity and Decision Making
In this video Margaret Crothers, Manager of Advocacy and Regional Services at Seniors Rights Service, discusses what capacity and supported decision making means, what advocates do, and how they may assist you. Margaret is joined by Halil Ozbeyazli, Aged Care Advocate at Seniors Rights Service, sharing some different case scenarios which illustrate the work of an aged advocate in helping older peoples' voices be heard.

Planning ahead
Ways to plan ahead and organise financial and legal affairs and lists people and organisations that can help.
Planning ahead: Deciding who can speak for you
Information about how to prepare for the time when a person with dementia will lose their ability to make informed decisions. It explains substitute decision-maker arrangements and provides links to state and territory specific information.
Supported decision making: policy position statement by Dementia Australia
Publication Date: 2022
Decision-making capacity encompasses a person’s ability to understand information that may be relevant to a decision, including the consequences, to retain this information for decision-making purposes (even if only briefly) and to communicate those decisions (in any form). Dementia is a progressive condition with associated physical and cognitive changes. These changes will vary for each individual and require a responsive approach to every aspect of dementia care and support, including involvement in decision-making.

Avoiding the Ageing Parent Trap by Brian Herd
Publication Date: 2021
This is a book that forces us to confront what most of us avoid - planning for our ageing parents. Our natural inclination is to wait and see what might happen. But when it does happen, or starts to unfold, we, and our siblings, are totally unprepared. Poor decisions, disputes with siblings and partners and the destruction of relationships can be the aftermath. Avoiding the Ageing Parent Trap is packed full of practical strategies for dealing with family dynamics and managing financial and legal affairs. This book this is your go-to resource for Information and practical case studies to support families in their legal, financial, and healthcare decision-making.

Capacity issues and decision-making in dementia (2016)
Capacity to make one's own decisions is fundamental to the autonomy of the individual. Capacity is a functional assessment made by a clinician to determine if a patient is capable of making a specific decision. Competency is a global assessment and legal determination made by a judge in court. Capacity evaluation for a patient with dementia is used to determine whether the patient is capable of giving informed consent, participate in research, manage their finances, live independently, make a will, and have ability to drive. Patients with dementia cannot be assumed to have impaired capacity. Even a patient with moderate or severe dementia, with obviously impaired capacity may still be able to indicate a choice and show some understanding. Four key components of decision-making in a capacity evaluation include understanding, communicating a choice, appreciation, and reasoning.
Hegde, S., & Ellajosyula, R. (2016). Capacity issues and decision-making in dementia. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 19(Suppl 1), S34–S39.

Making plans and decisions
Forward with Dementia provides a range of information and resources about planning and making decisions. Forward with Dementia challenges negative stereotypes about dementia. It provides guidance after a diagnosis of dementia, and enables people with dementia and their carers to lead fulfilling lives with dementia.