An LPA, or Lasting Power of Attorney to give it the full name, is often thought of as something that only older people need to put in place. An LPA is an important document which allows you to nominate a trusted family member, friend or neighbour to act in your best interests should you lose capacity for whatever reason.
There can be a multitude of health reasons why people may lose the capacity to understand information and make decisions. For example, dementia, acquiring a brain injury or being in a medical coma can all cause a person to lose capacity, according to GOV.UK.
A risk for all
That being said, it is quite possible to lose capacity for some reason – even if only temporarily – at any age. An accident can occur, or an illness can strike at any time, affecting different people in different ways. In the event of losing capacity, it’s important to know that someone whom you trust and love has the ability to make decisions on things like your health and wellbeing, as well as your property or finances if necessary.
It is essential that the LPA is arranged in advance of the person losing capacity. Unfortunately, if the person in question is, for example, struggling with advanced memory loss, it would be too late to arrange at this point. A UK Power of Attorney can be arranged in person at a solicitor’s office, or online thanks to specialists such as https://powerofattorneyonline.co.uk.
What about a will?
A will is another important document which should not only be written by the elderly – in fact, anyone over the age of 18 is legally allowed to write a will. Unlike a Power of Attorney, which comes into effect as soon as doctors deem a person to have lost capacity, a will is only usable once a person has passed away. It details what will happen to their estate and their assets, as well as any wishes the person may have had about a funeral or charitable giving.