Support Persons
Trusted people play essential roles in supporting people with communication and/or decision-making situations. A trusted person may be a family member, friend, service provider, support person or anyone that the individual chooses to assist them with communication and/or making decisions.
- Negotiate and document your role with the individual you are supporting. Determine if you are a communication assistant, an advocate, an interpreter or a combination of these roles; or if you are supporting the individual to make a decision or making a decision on behalf of an individual reflecting their known will and preference.
- Ensure that you use techniques that maximize the individual’s authentic communication and input into the decision-making process.
- In a formal situation, inquire about signing a confidentiality agreement with the individual and/or professional.
- Prepare any communication tools (picture boards) that the individual may require in the decision-making situation.
- If assisting with decisions, use a decision making approach to explore preferences that may inform decisions such as Taking Mats
- Acknowledge, honour or negotiate the individual’s choices and decisions.
- If applicable, support the individual to put a power of attorney in place if they become incapable and require someone to make decisions on their behalf.
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