WHO will decide what happens to you when you are older, vulnerable or in need of help?

This is one of the most emotive questions for me and something I have always felt very strongly about.

Over the years I have seen many vulnerable people be told what they have to do or aren’t allowed to do. It could be by a healthcare professional, social worker or person in a position of responsibility.

Family members, friends or advocates can also fall into the role of overriding someone’s wishing and instead deciding in their opinion what is best for them. Having control over our own lives and the decisions we make is surely one of our most fundamental human rights.

It is my view that every individual should be free to make any decision they wish about their own life. They should have complete control over the choices they make and those choices should be respected.

Just because somebody else might not agree with the decision does not mean the decision is wrong. We should not judge people by our own standards or by how we would live our lives.

What’s important to them may be very different. The most common justification for ignoring a vulnerable persons wishes or forcing them to do something against their will is safety.

A zealous approach to safety is in fact on of the most dangerous and damaging things I have seen. I have seen people crying in hospital beds after being refused permission to go home because somebody else has deemed it unsafe.

I have seen elderly people coerced into care homes against their will after being browbeaten that living in their own home isn’t safe. Well, folks, there is more to life than being safe.

We could be so safe that we all live in misery and take no risks.

The ultimate question is: who should be in charge of the risks a person takes? How would you like someone to come and take charge of your life and decide what is safe for you?

If someone is of sound mind then they only person in charge of their life and their decisions should be them. Make sure you make your wishes known or create a power of attorney you trust to make the right decisions for you.