Supported Decision Making for people living with dementia

Supported decision making is a practice where a person selects supporters such as family members, friends or professionals, to assist them to make a decision. The supporter gives the person the tools they need to make the decision for themselves, so their autonomy is safeguarded.

Supported decision making enables people to pursue their own goals, make choices about their life and exercise control over the things that are important to them.

Supported decision-making resources

Investigators at the University of Sydney Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre have conducted research with consumer and aged care representatives and clinicians into supported decision making for people living with dementia. As part of this research they produce a policy development document for Aged Care Providers in Australia: Supported Decision-Making in Aged Care

They’ve also produced a consumer handbook, Supported Decision-Making: A guide for people living with dementia, family members and carers, with practical tips and suggestions. It provides a step-by-step approach to putting supported decision-making into practice. It was based on the findings from over 100 interviews and feedback from people living with dementia, their family members, and professionals.

Download a Decision-Making Help Sheet which introduces supported decision-making, including who can be involved, some tips on how to go about the process, and links to further resources.

Supported decision-making helpsheet (English)
Supported decision-making helpsheet (simplified Chinese)
Supported decision-making helpsheet (Greek)
Supported decision-making helpsheet (Italian)

To understand the basic principles of supported decision-making, and their application, watch one or more of the three-part Supported Decision Making Webinar Series: