Caring for an adult with incapacity

Overview People the Act can help Principles of the Act How the Act can help Power of attorney Guardianship order Office of the Public Guardian Mental Welfare Commission Local council Legal Aid Further information

People the Act can help

The act relates to all adults whose incapacity is caused by a mental disorder or an inability to communicate.

The main groups the act helps are people with:

• dementia
• a learning disability
• an acquired brain injury or severe and chronic mental illness
• people with severe sensory impairment

‘Incapacity’ means not being able to:

• act on decisions
• make decisions
• communicate decisions
• understand decisions
• remember decisions