>Singaporeans who worry about losing their mental capacity and their ability to make decisions will be able to appoint trusted ones to do so on their behalf in future.
This follows the passing of the Mental Capacity Bill in Parliament today. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, said: "As our society ages, we expect a corresponding rise in dementia."
He added that the Mental Capacity Act will also allow parents of those with intellectual disability to appoint a deputy to make decisions for their children when they pass on.
Those who wish to make advance plans for themselves can do so through a new statutory mechanism called the Lasting Power of Attorney by appointing a proxy. In the event of mental incapacitation, the proxy can make decisions for the former on property and financial affairs, personal welfare and healthcare.
The Act sets out who can make decisions for persons who lack mental capacity and in what kind of situations, and how they should do so. A Code of Practice is being drafted and will be published to provide guidance to caregivers and professionals.
To protect those who become mentally incapacitated, regardless whether or not they had earlier appointed proxies, an Office of Public Guardian will be set up. The Office will carry out functions like dealing with complaints about how a proxy or court-appointed deputy is exercising his powers, and supervising court-appointed deputies.
The Act will come into effect when the Office of Public Guardian is set up and the Code of Practice is ready in about a year's time.
