Every three minutes one person in the UK is diagnosed with Dementia.

(https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20027/news_and_media/541/facts_for_the_media)

Of course, no one likes to think about their parents, grandparents or themselves losing their independence.   As a nation we are talking more about Dementia with celebrities like David Baddiel speaking openly and honestly about his experiences with his father who was diagnosed with the disease.

Planning for the future is vital and just because you’re planning for the worst it doesn’t mean it is definitely going to happen – prepare for the worst and hope for the best!

Speaking to someone about making Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) can quickly turn into a very awkward conversation – which is probably why only 7% of people in the UK have one in place.  LPAs are documents you, your parents, grandparents etc can use to appoint one or more people to make decisions on their behalf if they lack the mental capacity or feel unable to do this for themselves.  One of the most important points about LPAs is that the donor (the person making the LPA) has to have capacity when making them.

So how would you broach this very sensitive subject?  Click here for some great tips about speaking to people about doing LPAs and other difficult topics.

If a person looses mental capacity and doesn’t have an LPA in place it can put families under a lot of stress and sometimes financial pressure.   If you need someone to act as your attorney, but you have lost mental capacity it can cost thousands of pounds to go to the Court of Protection.

As it is Dementia Awareness Week this week, Ridley & Hall are offering savings of up to £150.00 per couple on LPAs.  Offer ends 26^th May 2017.

There is no time like the present, so put doing an LPA on your ‘to do list’ and give the Wills and Probate team at Ridley & Hall a call on 01484 538421.