Alzheimers NZ welcomes Government’s commitment to adult-decision making law change

Alzheimers NZ welcomes Government’s commitment to reform the adult decision-making law, so people living with dementia mate wareware have better support to make their own decisions.

This follows an extensive review – including people with lived experience – and the resulting 175 recommendations from Te Aka Matua o te Ture Law Commission.

Government accepts in principle that legislative reform is needed and intends to make this a priority next Parliamentary term.

Lived Experience Advisory Group Chair Fiona Parrant recently hosted a podcast with Law Commissioner Geof Shirtcliffe to explore this work.

“One of the strongest messages I have are that the words, wishes, and values of your person are important, and a diagnosis of dementia should never mean that you lose your voice,” she says.

“Even if it means that you need support to have your voice, you still have the right to a voice.”

Board member Clare Hynd says people living with dementia mate wareware have the same rights, privileges and obligations as everyone else.

This includes the right to make their own decisions with reasonable support in exercising their legal capacity.

“While the direction of travel is good in principle, we’re naturally interested to see the shape of the legislation to assess how the changes will benefit people living with dementia and their families,” says Clare.

The Dementia Declaration – written by people with lived experience – underpins the work by Alzheimers NZ.

It highlights that ‘we live our best possible lives when we have control over our lives; we have support to make decisions that are important to us’.

Alzheimers NZ made submissions on this review that can be found online.