A 79-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s dementia is brought by her daughter, who is concerned that she is wandering at night and leaving the gas stove on...

Question

A 79-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s dementia is brought by her daughter, who is concerned that she is wandering at night and leaving the gas stove on. The patient is pleasant but cannot recall recent events and is unable to understand or weigh up the risks of living alone. What is the most appropriate next step regarding decision-making for her living arrangements?

Accepted Answer

Assess her decision-making capacity for this specific decision and involve her as far as possible

Answer

Assume she lacks capacity because she has dementia and move her to a care home without further assessment

Answer

Ask her daughter to sign consent on her behalf without capacity assessment

Answer

Apply for a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards without capacity assessment

Answer

Do nothing as she appears content

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Capacity assessment and best interests