Still Yourself

Recently, Julianne Moore’s Oscar-winning performance in “Still Alice” puts the painful topic of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease front and centre.

The actress brilliantly captures the mental deterioration of Alice Howland, a linguistics professor in her 50s who goes from fame and success to confusion, frustration, distress and ultimately losing her ability to speak. As Alice’s disease progresses, her loving family is forced to confront the devastating reality of her continued physical vitality in the face of rapid cognitive decline. Moore’s eye-opening performance helps us to think about all the “Alices” in our own lives. Whether it is Alzheimer’s or any other disability, we believe all adults should have the right protection in place when you need it. At QualitySolicitors, we have experience in dealing with individuals and families who want to make sure that everything is done to give you and your relatives piece of mind.

Why should I consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney?

• If you are no longer able to make your own decisions you can appoint someone else to make decisions for you.
• If you are unable to deal with your bank account due to physical or mental incapacity the bank will require a formal authority to deal with someone else – it is important to be prepared.
• If you don’t make a Lasting Power of Attorney and someone has to apply when you no longer have mental capacity it will take at least twice as long and cost you three – four times as much.
• You can appoint an attorney to make your financial decisions, or your health and welfare decisions, or both.
• You can appoint one or more attorneys as you wish, and you can appoint a replacement act to you in case your first attorney is unable to act for you.
• The key to remember is that YOU will be choosing your Attorney, and the Court will not be choosing for you.

What decisions can my Attorney make?

• Your attorney will be able to make all decisions that you would be able to make yourself, however you can provide them with guidance or restrictions within the Lasting Power of Attorney, so that you give them powers as you so wish.
• Attorneys must follow the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and must always act in your best interests.
• Your attorneys can only act once the Lasting Power of Attorney has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian

Can I specify how and when Power of Attorney is used?

• Yes – you can state in what circumstances your Attorney can act, and your Lasting Power of Attorney must be registered before it can be used.