19b. Consent to treatment
“Every resident has the right to give or refuse consent to any treatment, care or services for which their consent is required by law and to be informed of the consequences of giving or refusing consent.”
In other words: When a doctor, nurse, or other health professional suggests a new treatment, they must
tell you:
- what it is for,
- the risks, benefits, and side effects,
- if there are any other options.
You need to know all of this to make an informed decision. You can decide to take the treatment, not take it, or ask for another opinion.
If you are mentally capable, no one else can make decisions for you about your plan of care or your medical treatment.
You cannot be punished or forced to leave the home if you refuse a treatment, including taking medication.
You are mentally capable if you are able to understand:
- what you are doing,
- what could happen when you make decisions about your care.
If you are not mentally capable of making certain decisions, your substitute decision-maker must make them for you.
A substitute decision-maker has the legal right to make decisions for you during times when you are not mentally capable of making them yourself.
Previous page Next page