Importance of lasting power of attorney highlighted

People have been advised that it is important to have a lasting power of attorney.

Alex Edmans, product manager at Saga, said that this is crucial as it allows this person to fill the position with someone they trust.

This trusted individual can then look after their affairs if they cannot do so themselves.

Ms Edmans said that people who cannot care for their own affairs as they have dementia or Alzheimers and do not have a lasting power of attorney will end up in a situation where a Court of Protection appointed person will be used to handle their affairs.

Ms Edaman added that using the Court of Protection for this is an "onerous" process that is expensive and takes a long time.

She is not the only one to advise that people establish this. Oliver Thomas, director of Bupa's UK care homes, also told the Daily Telegraph that it was important to avoid a distressing situation.

Published by Hannah Carr