Ethical Dilemmas: The Mental Capacity Act 2005

367 Words2 Pages
Dilemmas are situations in which a difficult choice has to be made between two different options which can be taken. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 outlines a legal framework for making decisions on behalf of those who lack the mental capacity to make specific decisions on their own. All those working with and caring for an adult who may lack capacity to make particular decisions must comply with this Act when making decisions or acting for the individual, when the individual lacks the capacity to make that decision for themselves. This applies to life changing matters as well as every day matters. The Act firstly looks at whether an adult over the age of 16 has the legal capacity to make decisions for themselves, unless they show signs of