decisional capacity

Decisional capacity refers to an individual's ability to understand and make informed choices about their own life, particularly regarding medical treatment, legal matters, and personal decisions. This involves grasping the relevant information, appreciating the consequences of options, reasoning through choices, and communicating a choice clearly. It is assessed on a spectrum, meaning that someone might have capacity for some decisions but not others. Factors like mental health, cognitive ability, and emotional state influence one’s decisional capacity, and it is important for protecting individuals' rights while ensuring their safety and well-being.