At Gain Capacity Experts, we’re a small team that works together to provide a supportive compassionate service for our clients. Here, Personal Assistant, Kirsty, provides an insight into what it’s like working at Gain Capacity Experts.
Introduction
Hi, my name is Kirsty, and I am the new Personal Assistant to Victoria at Gain Capacity Experts.
I started my journey with Victoria in March 2024 after fortunate events brought us together. I am a big believer in everything happens for a reason, and it certainly feels true in this instance – I’m loving it at Gain Capacity Experts!
Lots to learn
I am learning every day and was surprised to find out just how much work goes into all the different assessments that Victoria does. The reports, the visits, the virtual assessments are just some of the regular activities undertaken by an assessor. I have also had to learn how to use a laptop as I was still in the dark ages with my desktop computer. A month on, I’m still trying to work my way around it! Has anyone else been through this?
I remember my first week feeling like I was in the movie The Devil Wears Prada. Not because Victoria was demanding, but because her job is so demanding. We were (and still are) both learning know how each other works and what we both want and need from each other. I will add I love that movie and was quite excited that I was the new Anne Hathaway!
When I first met Victoria my words to her were “I’ll give it a go”. And, here we are a month later and I don’t think I am doing too bad (fingers crossed Victoria agrees!). I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy role and that’s what excited me as I love a challenge and this job certainly is. I love how it keeps my brain ticking over!
Recently Victoria asked me to type minutes for a meeting, I wanted the world to swallow me up. I had never done this before and went into a panic. I had a good try and I’m sure as the time goes on it will get easier. I have always put my all into any job I have had, I love to learn.
Providing a supportive service
Gain Capacity Experts is a highly skilled company that provides Mental Capacity Assessments to people and families all over the country. I am having to learn all about the different assessments as most of them I had never even heard of before.
I organise Victoria’s diary for her to be able to travel the country providing a supportive and compassionate service to families. I make sure she has sufficient time to travel, spend with clients and then write up her reports.
I also respond to emails, send quotes, liaise with different people to provide the best service I can for them. I try to be available for Victoria and our clients at all times (even though she tells me off for this!), for her to be able to lean on me for support and help her provide the best service.
Victoria is a great a person to work for and be around, she is such a positive, supportive and professional person, and it really shows in her work. Nothing is ever too much, and she will always try and provide as much help to everyone where she can. This is what I have come to learn about her in such a short amount of time. It definitely helps having positivity in your life and career.
Looking ahead
I am looking forward to the future with Gain Capacity Experts, I am looking forward to continuing to support Victoria and our clients with everything they need by providing professionalism, care and support. I’m also excited to help the business grow.
As our society ages, the care of our elderly loved ones becomes an increasingly important and pressing matter. Providing quality care for the elderly is not just a duty; it’s an expression of love, respect, and gratitude for the wisdom and experience they bring to our lives. In this blog, we will explore practical ways to ensure they live their golden years with dignity and comfort.
Fall Prevention
Falls are a common cause of injuries among the elderly. Ensure their living space is free from hazards, such as loose rugs or clutter, and consider installing handrails and grab bars as needed.
Safety Modifications
Adapting the home environment to their needs is essential. Consider installing ramps, non-slip flooring, and making doorways wider for easy access.
Accessibility
Make sure that the home is wheelchair or walker-friendly. This includes widening hallways and doorways and ensuring that countertops and appliances are at accessible heights.
Personal Space
Respect their need for personal space and independence whilst assisting when necessary. Discuss with them how they want their living space to be arranged and accessible.
Dementia can have a profound impact on a person’s cognitive abilities, making it difficult to determine their capacity to make decisions. In this article, we explore the challenges of assessing mental capacity in people with dementia and offer helpful tips for navigating this complex process.
Mental capacity refers to an individual’s ability to make informed decisions. It is crucial to assess mental capacity, especially when a person’s decision-making ability is in question due to cognitive impairments such as dementia. The assessment process involves evaluating various factors to ensure that the person has the necessary capacity to make a particular decision.
Factors to Consider in Assessing Mental Capacity
When evaluating mental capacity in people with dementia, several factors must be taken into account:
The person’s age and overall health: The individual’s age and health can influence their cognitive abilities.
The stage of their dementia: The severity of dementia can impact the person’s capacity to make decisions.
The nature of the decision that needs to be made: Different decisions require different levels of cognitive abilities.
The person’s ability to understand the information relevant to the decision: Can they comprehend the necessary information?
The person’s ability to weigh the pros and cons of the decision: Are they able to analyze the consequences of their choices?
The person’s ability to communicate their decision: Can they effectively convey their preferences?
Tips for Working with People with Dementia
Here are some practical tips to keep in mind when working with people with dementia during the mental capacity assessment process:
Be patient: Dementia can slow down information processing, so give them time.
Use clear and simple language: Avoid technical terms and jargon that may be confusing.
Repeat yourself as needed: People with dementia may forget what you have said.
Use visual aids: Pictures, diagrams, and other visual aids can help convey information.
Encourage participation: Involve the person in the decision-making process as much as possible.
Get input from family and friends: Consult with those close to the person for insights on their abilities and preferences.
Seeking Professional Help
If you have concerns about a person’s mental capacity or need guidance on how to proceed, it’s essential to seek professional help. You can contact Victoria at 07734393918 for assistance and to have your questions answered. Remember, seeking expert advice is the best way to ensure a thorough and accurate assessment of mental capacity in people with dementia.
How to assess mental capacity and what to do if someone does not want to engage with the assessment
I attended a webinar withNelson’sSolicitors this week. We decided that I would comment on the following questions
When capacity to make a specific decision is in issue, how do you test P?
When P is unwilling to communicate, what strategies do you have to try and break the deadlock?
As you can see in the image (see link here Scan post it notes ) I had lots of notes and planned my response.
What does P mean?
Firstly let me explain, in legal terms the ‘P’ stands for person in question or person being assessed.
Mental Capacity Assessment process
When doing a mental capacity assessment it is important to establish whether there is an impairment or problem with the brain, which may affect their ability to make decisions, such as dementia or brain injury. We also consider the history of the person and their current circumstances.
With the particular decision (for example financial decisions) we need to establish whether the person can:
UNDERSTAND: We check understanding by asking a number of questions related to the matter. Such as where do you work? Sources of income, details of any debt, what bills do you have? Where do you bank? I also show most people objects to establish is they understand their uses. Such as money, till receipts, or a purse.
RETAIN:
We check whether they can retain information throughout the assessment by providing information and check understanding and memory. I ask questions to check long and short term memory, as well as asking if they have noticed any problems themselves. I sometimes administer specific cognitive testing such as the Addenbrook’s Cognitive Examination (see link here) https://neurovascularmedicine.com/ace.pdf
WEIGH OR USE INFORMATION
This is more tricky to assess as people can often understand but cannot use this information to make an informed decision. I would always check how people use information by asking other people how they manage information in real time. Consider how much support someone requires, whether they are in any debt or have problems managing themselves. This part of the assessment involves establishing whether there is evidence that a person can comprehend and rationalise information to make a decision.
COMMUNICATION
Being able to reliably communicate a decision by any means is important. I have known people to use sign language, and writing information down.
What to do if someone does not want to engage in assessment
To answer the question, to describe what I do when someone does not want to be assessed. Firstly I try to gather as much information as I can before the assessment date, I aways try to build rapport as soon as possible by reading body language and ensure they feel listened to. I tend to approach every assessment differently depending on the person’s circumstances, but I always give respect and space, I do not behave or act as an expert.I am always interested in their life and ask inquisitive questions. If the person does not want to engage, I will leave it and arrange to meet another day, and consider the location, environment and time of day.
I have added the link for a previous blog on working with vulnerable and young people
3D or holistic mental capacity assessments are essential. As some people talk the talk but can’t walk the walk! We gather evidence from available documentation and speak to important others (who know the person very well and see them on regular basis). Most importantly triangulate this with information that is gathered from the person themselves. Holistic mental capacity assessments are essential as some people who experienced a traumatic brain injury or have executive function problems ‘can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk’.
But what does this mean?
Someone may be able to say how they will save or spend their money to live safely. But in real terms without appropriate support and those protective measures in place, they are unable to control their spending and may give all their money away, which increases their vulnerability.
It’s important not to take things at face value; analysis and evaluation is important. This is why 3D or holistic mental capacity assessment are essential. Especially when the outcome of the mental capacity assessment can have a direct impact on their freedom to make decisions independently. It’s important to gather the evidence and not offer opinion based on speculation. And the report has to be provide this evidence in way that can understood by the reader. The report has to showcase what we discovered in the assessment, the assessors analysis and offer an expert opinion.
By March 2020 everyone was scared, lots of people were very poorly and we had no protection for our most vulnerable in society. Our older generation suffered the most.
Children have been hit hard too, but they have time to recover and have access to lots of support through school. I have met so many older people who did not get Covid but have suffered through isolation and loneliness, which has created a vacuum for mental and physical health deterioration. People haven’t had access to their usual activities, they haven’t seen their GP, or been to see their Doctor at the memory clinic. They haven’t wanted to bother anyone and just sit at home waiting. I have met so many people who are still scared and no longer go out.
I have met so many families who have experienced so much loss that they want to make sure they have everything in place, in case the worse happens.
Our loved ones in care homes have been looking at faces with masks on for the past 2 years and some haven’t had a cuddle from their loved ones for far too long.
Everyone is an individual with a life story. Let’s value our older people for what they have given us.
Look after your neighbours, love your family and do your best to care.
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3D or holistic mental capacity assessments are essential. As some people talk the talk but can’t walk the walk! We gather evidence from available documentation and speak to important others (who know the person very well and see them on regular basis). Most importantly triangulate this with information that is gathered from the person themselves. Holistic mental capacity assessments are essential as some people who experienced a traumatic brain injury or have executive function problems ‘can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk’.