This document guides carers of people living with dementia through the process of making difficult decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic whilst taking into consideration wishes and preferences of those they care for and the legal aspects of making decisions. The guide covers a number of decisions carers may need to make if the person they are caring for has or is suspected to have Covid-19. These include decisions such as how to care for them if they are unable to visit them, whether they should go to hospital if they become unwell and what it means to have a do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation order. The guide also provides useful tips for carers such as the Covid-19 symptoms to watch out for which may differ to the commonly recognised symptoms, where to find help and support when making decisions and how to look after yourself as a carer. Topics covered include: thinking about any existing advance care plans; wishes and preferences; legal aspects of decision making; managing care at home; supporting someone in a care home; admitting them to hospital if they are very unwell; support for carers; and how carers can look after themselves during coronavirus and beyond.

The guidance outlines how the coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission risk can be minimised when support is provided so that people who need assistance can visit shops, socialise or exercise safely. Contents include: who can get support; what ‘getting support’ means; getting support while socially distancing; who should help you; what everyone should do when they provide support to you; getting support from someone in your household or support bubble or your normal carer; getting support from someone who is not in your household or support bubble, or is not your normal carer; getting support from volunteers or organisations; if you have symptoms. [Published 2 September 2020. Last updated 3 March 2022]

This guidance explains how a person can manage a bank or building society account on another person’s behalf, including on behalf of a person who does not have mental capacity. It describes the circumstances in which this is possible and how it can be done. It also sets out the documents that need to be shown the bank or building society to be able to manage the account. This guidance applies to England and Wales.

Sitra, the Carers Trust and Care Charts UK designed this booklet to provide support and guidance about decision making for carers of people living with dementia. Carers provided examples of decisions they make with and for the person they care for. The booklet uses their experience to bring alive how carers manage supported decision making to maintain a good quality of home life, whilst keeping the people they care for as independent and safe as possible. It covers the key principles at the heart of the Mental Capacity Act; how to assess capacity; and making decisions on behalf of someone.