17th May 2016
Dementia affects over 850,000 people in the UK and is expected to reach 1 million by 2025, according to the Alzheimer’s Society. While the disease predominantly affects those over 65, there are 40,000 younger people with dementia in the UK.
As part of Dementia Awareness Week, Susan Hall, wills and probate lawyer at Myers & Co Solicitors in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, outlines five facts about dementia which highlight the importance of planning ahead and making a lasting power of attorney.
While it is true that dementia is not a natural part of aging, it could potentially happen to anyone, at any point in their life. It is therefore important for everyone, of every age to address this risk by putting plans for your future in place.
Dementia is the name used for a collection of symptoms, including memory loss and problems with communicating and reasoning, which are caused by diseases of the brain. These diseases affect your ability to function and, if this happens before you have put a power of attorney in place, you will not be able to prepare one. The decision about who will manage your affairs can only be made by applying to the Court of Protection and you will have no choice in who they appoint. By making your power of attorney early, you can choose someone you trust to act for you if it becomes necessary.
All types of dementia are progressive, meaning that the brain becomes increasingly damaged over time, with a number of different stages. Your ability to remember, understand and communicate declines gradually. However, the rate of progression of dementia is entirely dependent on the individual. Some people may stay in the very first stage of dementia for a number of years, while others decline rapidly. Early symptoms are often easy to miss and often dementia is only diagnosed once a person has lost capacity, making it too late to make a power of attorney. Applying to the Court of Protection can take months, in which time your condition may deteriorate significantly.
While dementia does make it harder to do some things, with the right support and forward planning, it is possible for someone with dementia to live a full, happy life. By being proactive and appointing an attorney now, you have the opportunity to discuss your future care options and make your wishes clear to them. Having a power of attorney ready can also affect the type of care you receive. For example, being able to release funds quickly from your home could enable you to get into the care home of your choice much faster.
By making your power of attorney, you get to choose exactly who will act for you and keep control, even if you have lost mental capacity.
There are two types of lasting power of attorney:
Although you may appoint one person to act for you it is recommended that if you chose to do so you also appoint a replacement person to act in the event that the first person appointed is unable to. You may appoint up to four people to act for you. You may appoint the same person or people to act for you for both types
Click here for more information on Dementia Awareness Week.
If you would like any further information on making a lasting power of attorney, contact Susan Hall on 01782 525001 or email susan.hall@myerssolicitors.co.uk.
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice, and the law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.
