Dementia Action Week 17th – 23rd May 2021

Approximately one million people are living with dementia in the UK and the pandemic has exposed decades of underfunding and neglect like never before. It has been highlighted that the care system is hard to access, expensive and inadequate.Dementia Action Week, hosted by Alzheimer’s Society, is urging the government to fix the care system by providing the appropriate care and support required and deserved by people living with dementia and their families.

Calling for change

As a solicitor specialising in supporting older and vulnerable people, I see this first-hand. I stand with Alzheimer’s Society calling for change. A lot more needs to be done to fix the crisis and assist families already dealing with an extremely cruel illness. The government must recognise the need for reform.Alzheimer’s Society is asking people to sign a petition which urges the government to find a solution to the current crisis within the care system. They are calling for the publication of a clear, budgeted plan with milestones and reforms to ensure improvements within the quality of care people are receiving. Show your support for the cause by signing the petition on the Alzheimer’s Society website.

Protecting yourself and loved ones

Situations like this emphasise the importance of making sure that you are doing what you can in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. One of the ways to do this is by creating Lasting Powers of Attorney to take care of your health and welfare and/or financial affairs. By having an LPA in place, you are able to appoint trusted people (attorneys) to handle your affairs and make decisions on your behalf should you ever be in a position where you are unable to do so yourself.At Hegarty Solicitors, our Wills, Trusts and Probate team understand the importance of Lasting Powers of Attorney and what is involved in the process of creating these documents. We would always recommend that you seek legal advice or guidance when making an LPA so that you can be sure that you have discussed all of your options and to ensure that documents have been made correctly.

Putting your mind at ease

We can prepare and arrange to register your Lasting Powers of Attorney and help set your mind at ease knowing that you will be protected.  Our standard charge for a single Lasting Power of Attorney is £450+VAT. The cost to complete both types of LPA for a single person is £650+VAT. LPA and both types of LPA for a couple is £950+VAT.  Additionally, the Office of Public Guardian charges a fee of £82 for registering each Lasting Power of Attorney.For more information on Lasting Powers of Attorney, please see our guide here.To speak to an expert about creating an LPA or for more information please call 01780 752 066 or email enquiries@hegarty.co.uk.