I am a carer, looking after someone who lacks the mental capacity to make their own decisions about screening. They have been invited for screening. How should I deal with their invitation?
If the person you care for is unable to make their own decisions about screening, then you, as their carer, should make what is called a ‘best interests’ decision on their behalf, in the same way as you may be making other decisions about their care and treatment. You will need to weigh up the benefits of screening, the possible harm to them and what you think the person would have wanted to do themselves. Whether you are a paid carer, or an unpaid carer, family member or close friend, the process is the same. Some people may have fluctuating mental capacity, in which case, the decision about screening should be delayed until the individual is able to decide for themselves. If you do need to make a decision on someone else’s behalf, you will need to consider what is involved in the screening process (including any further diagnostic tests that may be needed if the person receives an abnormal screening result).
