1. Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi
‘If it is used properly… it can only be of benefit to people’: early views of local Alzheimer's Society staff of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Older people’s views of making plans for later life in England under the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005

2. Outline of presentation
Background
Research questions
Recruitment & participants
Findings
Implications
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

3. Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Background
Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 – implemented 2007 in England & Wales
MCA enables people to plan and make views known, should loss of capacity to make own decisions occur
Additional safeguards of new offences and requirements to abide by Code of Practice
Investment in rollout by Department of Health and locally
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

4. Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Research questions
What is Alzheimer’s Societies’ staff understanding of the MCA?
Early experiences and expectations
What is their role in information, advice, advocacy and support?
How does the MCA affect their role?
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

5. Recruitment & Participants
Range of AS groups in North London region
Confidentiality and anonymity assured
Qualitative interviews with 9 AS representatives conducted
45 minutes – 1 hour
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

6. Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Findings
Four main themes identified:
Participants aware but varied knowledge
See MCA as enhancing rights
Concerns about cost and complexity
Information, some advice, less advocacy
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

7. Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Varied knowledge
Different exposure and training
Thought they should be better than they were
“I must say it was a bit dry and a bit difficult to concentrate, you know, obviously some of it stuck but not an awful lot I am afraid, ..both of my senior staff were supposed to go on training but one was sick on the day…” – AS1, branch manager
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

8. Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
MCA enhances rights
of people with dementia & carers
“I think it gives people choice…it allows people to make plans, It does help professionals to know what people want, it gives them an insight… Yes, it gives (carers) a little bit more security of what they are doing..” – AS8 development manager
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

9. Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Cost and complexity
Related to Lasting Power of Attorney
Quick signposting to legal practitioners
Not aware of cost going down
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

10. Information, some advice, less advocacy
Mainly around LPA, less around other features
Very little around safeguarding measures
More information than advice
Advocacy not developed
Little work with ‘hard to reach’ groups
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

11. Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Implications
Recognise potential of MCA but uncertain
Limited engagement with local implementation networks
If initial training missed… what then?
Audit tools being developed by DH & SCIE – might be useful
Possibly generational issue as well
Planning in advance is specific to the individual and the MCA
Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009

12. Thank you Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Jill.Manthorpe@kcl.ac.uk
This study is funded by the NIHR see