This week (29 May – 4 June 2017) is Dementia Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness and provide support to those affected by dementia in Scotland.
Alzheimer Scotland has said that there are currently 90,000 people living in Scotland who have dementia and this figure is growing annually. Just a little forward legal planning and putting a Power of Attorney (PoA) in place can help individuals with dementia to take control of their future.
No-one should face the dementia journey alone – it can be a frightening and lonely time and it is important that friends and family stay in touch with individuals with dementia. Some people are reluctant to discuss the prospect of having a PoA but it is a sensible and practical way to help deal with a future with dementia.
Creating a PoA is a straightforward process and enables you to choose who can make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. You can appoint family members, friends, professionals or a combination. A PoA allows your chosen attorneys to make decisions regarding your property, finances, and/or care and welfare.
You can decide if the PoA is to be used straightaway or if it is only to come into force after a certain event, for example if a doctor declares that you are no longer capable of managing your own affairs. In either case, your attorney must always act in your best interests and must seek your views, opinions and instructions before acting. Accordingly, you can remain independent and continue managing your own affairs unless you have asked your attorney to step in and assist or unless you are no longer able to make decisions.
It is vital that you think about and instruct a PoA while you are still able to do so. If you are no longer able to understand what a PoA is and are unable to give instructions, the opportunity will have been missed. The alternative, in these circumstances, would be to have a Guardian appointed and this often involves a long and complex court process.
Taking control of your future by planning a PoA will give you the reassurance that, later in life, your affairs will be looked after by someone known, trusted and chosen by you.
For more information about Dementia Awareness Week please visit here:
If you would like to find out more about putting a Power of Attorney in place, please contact a member of our Private Client team who would be happy to discuss this with you.
