A. Expert Interview Questions

  1. Functionally, how is it all working in your jurisdiction?  What is the “on the ground” experience of supported decision-making in your expert opinion?
  2. What, if any, roadblocks or uncertainties exist which frustrate the process?
  3. What issue(s) need clarifying in the process of supported decision-making
  4. What works really well?
  5. What thoughts / recommendations do you have?

Prompt Questions

  1. What are some challenges that have emerged and how have people navigated these challenges effectively?
  2. What kinds of community supports have empowered the person with capacity challenges to participate as much as possible in decision-making processes?
  3. What supports are missing?
  4. How have the decision-making processes been tailored to address and accommodate the unique abilities and communication styles of the adult decision-makers involved?
  5. What kind of strategies or processes, if any, have been put in place or used to facilitate the supportive decision-making relationship?
  6. How is the decision-making relationship best characterized in terms of the four categories of people interviewed?
  7. Is the relationship a dyad primarily involving decision-maker and supporter, or is there a larger circle of support at issue?  Or is there much diversity of approach in this regard?
  8. Have changes occurring along the life course of the adult using supported decision-making— including factors linked to aging—impacted the supported decision-making experience, and how have people navigated these particular challenges effectively?
  9. What, if any, role does concern about liability play?  This includes liability of the supported decision-maker, the adult, the liability of third parties (health care professionals, financial professionals, other)
  10. What, if any, role does cost play in this regime?

B. Call for Participation in Research 

Research Project on Supported Decision-making in BC Opportunity to Participate

Are you interested in sharing your story about supported decision-making? The Canadian Centre for Elder Law is conducting research into supported decision-making. We believe that people who use representation agreements in their day-to-day lives have wisdom to share about supported decision-making. We are currently talking to people across BC who use or are affected by representation agreements, including:

  • People with disabilities and other challenges who are using supportive decision-making to help them make their own decisions
  • Designated supported decision-makers
  • Family and friends who help people with representation agreements and decision-making
  • People acting as monitors

We are hoping to learn more about how agreements are best used and how supports could be enhanced to make supported decision-making more accessible for different people with disabilities.

If you would like to be interviewed, have questions or would like to otherwise participate in this project, please contact Raissa Dickinson at rdickinson@bcli.org.

People with disabilities who use supported decision-making to make their own decisions will be offered a $20 honorarium in appreciation of their time.

You can find out more about this project, called Understanding the Lived Experience of Supported Decision-making in Canada, at: http://www.bcli.org/ccel/projects/understanding-lived-experience-supported-decision-making.

The Canadian Centre for Elder Law is a non-profit organization that conducts legal research, produces educational materials and proposes changes to the law to better serve people in Canada impacting by aging and mental capacity issues.