Let’s be honest, we always want to know that we are in control. The feeling of helplessness is one of the worst you can experience but could become a lot more common if you haven’t set up a lasting power of attorney (LPA). One in three people over the age of 65 develop dementia, and every 90 seconds someone is admitted to hospital having suffered an acquired brain injury.
Why are we telling you this? Because either of these unfortunate outcomes can result in you losing the capacity to make your own decisions. If anything happens in your life and you are unable to make the decision by yourself, then this could be left to someone who isn’t your preferred choice, or someone you plainly don’t trust.
Setting up an LPA ensures that this isn’t the case, any every decision made on your behalf is made by someone who has your best interests as a priority.
Damning statistics
The lack of knowledge or acceptance of the importance of appointing a lasting power of attorney could mean almost all of the UK population is leaving the appointment of an LPA in the hands of the Court of Protection.
Of course, having a will is a lot more publicised, with 40% of adults in the UK having this document already made. However, less than 1% of the UK population have a LPA appointed, which could mean consequences out of your control for both yourself and your loved ones if the time ever comes.
We recommend that you start looking to appoint an LPA if you are 45 or older, yet 45% of people in this age bracket knew nothing about an LPA. Well we are here to change that!
A wider effect
If the possibility comes to fruition that you are unable to make your own decisions due to lack of mental capacity, then this can cause a lot of distressing ethical issues if there isn’t an LPA appointed beforehand. This could result in decisions being made by people that aren’t your immediate family, even though many people falsely presume that next of kin always gets the final say.
As a result, decisions can be made that not only effect you as an individual, but the livelihood of your family too. Whether this be decisions regarding your welfare, financial status or property, having an LPA ensures that yourself and your loved ones are protected from any decisions that are not in your best interests.
The importance of trust
When appointing a lasting power of attorney, it is important to think long and hard about the decision, and to ensure that you appoint someone that you trust to make decisions on your behalf. This allows you to be safe in the knowledge that you are in good hands if you are ever in a position of lacking the mental capacity.
Be sure to choose a close family member or friend that you can rely on to make the right call. There may be some important decisions that need to be made regarding your welfare, or large sums of money that are in your name.
Get in touch with St Helens Law
If you feel like appointing a lasting power of attorney in St Helens or the surrounding areas is a good idea, then the team at St Helens Law will gladly be of assistance. We can help you appoint an LPA that is specific to your requirements, placing restrictions on the decisions they can make if necessary.
To get started in appointing an LPA you are happy with, simply give us a call today on 01744 742360 or email us at info@sthelenslaw.co.uk and we can arrange a FREE 30 minute consultation to discuss your enquiry. You can also fill out our online form for a quick and informed response from one of the team.