When a person cannot plan for their future
OPA has a number of resources to help carers plan for the future care of someone who cannot plan for their own future due to cognitive impairment.
Where possible, the person should be supported to make their own decisions.
See Appointing a person to support you in making decisions
Guardianship is a last resort, if there is no less restrictive alternative to safeguard the interests of an adult with disability. However, a guardian cannot be appointed in anticipation that a decision may need to be made in the future.
See When guardianship is needed
Resources for families and carers
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A medical treatment decision maker’s guide for when the person lacks capacity to undertake advance care planningThis guide covers five areas that relate to making medical treatment decisions for a person who lacks medical decision making capacity to consent to their own treatment or to refuse that treatment:
Download A medical treatment decision maker's guide >> The form, ‘What I understand to be the person’s preferences and values’, is available to download from the Northern Health website. |
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Securing their FutureSecuring their Future steps carers through the process of appointing powers of attorney, planning their estate and leaving assets in a way that protects beneficiaries with a disability. Parents, relatives and other significant people who care for a person with a disability will be able to plan for when they are no longer able to provide care. State Trustee’s considerable expertise in protective trusts has been included in this edition. |
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Guide to NDIS decision-making: When a decision can be made by, with, or for an adult with significant cognitive disabilityThe aim of this guide is to outline when decision-making support, advocacy and substitute decision-making will be needed for potential and current NDIS participants who have significant cognitive disability. It does this in the context of each possible decision-making stage within the NDIS participant pathway. The guide takes account of State/Territory decision-making arrangements (including guardianship, administration/financial management and appointments under enduring powers of attorney) as well as the appointment of plan nominees within the NDIS. The guide contains a flowchart that outlines a process to assist in determining what decision-making arrangement is appropriate to enable an adult participant to progress along the NDIS participant pathway. It also seeks to promote informal decision-making wherever possible. |
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NDIS decision-making posterAn A3 full-colour flowchart outlining a process to assist in determining what decision-making arrangement is appropriate to enable an adult participant to progress along the NDIS participant pathway. Download the NDIS decision-making poster >> Order a free copy by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Don't forget to include your full name and address! |
Resources for clinicians
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A clinician's guide to medical treatment decision making for when the person lacks capacity to undertake advance care planningThis guide covers five areas that relate to making medical treatment decisions for a person who lacks medical decision making capacity to consent to their own treatment or to refuse that treatment:
Download A clinician's guide to medical treatment decision making >> The form, ‘What I understand to be the person’s preferences and values’, is available to download from the Northern Health website. |