The phrase “unwise decision” is frequently misunderstood in self-neglect cases and can become a safeguarding blind spot. The Mental Capacity Act is clear that adults have the right to make unwise decisions. However, Safeguarding Adult Reviews repeatedly highlight situations where this phrase is used to prematurely close down analysis, even when risk is escalating. In self-neglect, the critical question is not whether a decision appears unwise, but whether there is reason to doubt mental capacity