Today’s theme for National Safeguarding Adults Week is ‘Mental Capacity’.

What is Mental Capacity?

“a person lacks capacity in relation to a matter if at the material time they are unable to make a decision for themself in relation to the matter because of an impairment of, or a disturbance in the functioning of, the mind or brain”

A lack of mental capacity could be due to a permanent or temporary reason, for example:

• dementia
• a learning disability
• a brain injury
• a mental health illness
• a stroke
• unconsciousness caused by an anaesthetic or sudden accident
• Substance or alcohol use

But just because a person has one of these health conditions doesn’t necessarily mean they lack the capacity to make a specific decision.

Find out more on today’s National Safeguarding Adults Week page here:

National Safeguarding Adults Week 2024 – Mental Capacity | Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board