FAMILIES of loved ones with a limited decision-making capacity are being urged to attend a public meeting in Letterkenny this week.
‘A Conversation with Áine Flynn’, Director of Decision Support Services, will take place in the Station House Hotel this evening from 7pm to 8.30pm.
The event will provide a unique chance to hear directly about how the new Capacity Act may affect a person’s ability to support their family member, or how to arrange for the future when you, too, might need support.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 is a law that establishes a new legal framework for supported decision-making in Ireland.
It allows people to make legal agreements on how they can be supported to make decisions about their personal welfare, property and affairs.
These new regulations may help a person who does not have the capacity to make decisions, now or in the future, without help.
People who may have difficulty making decisions include, for example, people with intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injury, mental health difficulty or dementia.
The Act also allows for a person to plan for a time when you might lose your capacity in two types of future planning arrangements, known as Advances Healthcare Directives and Enduring Power of Attorney.
Decision support arrangements only apply to people aged over 18.
The meeting has been arranged by Donegal Down Syndrome. Its Treasurer, Liam Mulligan, said the public meeting will help shed light on a number of issues faced by families.
Mr Mulligan, who has an adult daughter with Down Syndrome, told the Donegal News: “Decision support arrangements are legally recognised arrangements for people who need support to make certain decisions. This may include, but is not limited to, people with an intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, mental health difficulty or dementia. This also includes all people who want to plan for a time when they might lose their capacity.
“The Capacity Act is a bit complex and people can find it difficult to navigate, and this is the purpose of this meeting. This seminar will provide information about the types of arrangements and supports that will be available.”
Booking is essential as there are limited spaces. Go to eventbrite.ie select Letterkenny as location and search for ‘Conversation with Áine Flynn.
There is a small charge of €5 to defray costs of refreshments.
Alternatively, contact Donegal Down Syndrome on (074) 9103527.
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