23/09/2025
It’s World Alzheimer’s Month in September, a global opportunity to raise dementia awareness and support people affected by the disease.
Latest figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that there were 57 million people living with dementia worldwide in 2021, with nearly ten million new cases diagnosed each year.
Dementia is a term for several diseases that affect memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities. It is a progressive disease, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, and symptoms get worse over time.
Many people with dementia will reach a point when they are unable to make important decisions for themselves, for example relating to their finances or care.
Solicitors for Power of Attorney
Having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place before capacity is lost is crucial.
An LPA is a legal document that allows someone (an ‘attorney’) to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to.
However, powers of attorney are not just for older people. Accidents or illnesses can strike at any time that can result in an individual losing capacity, and an LPA is a valuable safeguard for people of all ages.
To make an LPA, you must be over 18 and have the mental capacity to understand what you are doing and why you are doing it. You must also be able to appreciate the consequences of your decision and be able to communicate your choices.
While it is possible to set up an LPA yourself, the forms can be complicated, and it is advisable to ask a solicitor to help.
Figures released by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) show that 15% of power of attorney applications contain mistakes. More than 50,000 applications were rejected in 2023/2024 due to avoidable errors.
A specialist solicitor with experience in LPAs will be able to ensure the forms are completed correctly and reduce the likelihood of any delays.
At Russell & Russell, our experienced LPA solicitors in the North West provide specialist legal advice on powers of attorney.
For more information, or to speak to one of our team, please contact Russell & Russell on 0800 103 2600 or make an enquiry online.
In this blog, our experienced Powers of Attorney Solicitors give their top five reasons why everyone should make an LPA.
- Safeguards your future. An LPA acts as a valuable insurance policy to protect you and your loved ones. You might not need to use it any time soon and may not use it at all. However, making a power of attorney when you are in good health allows you to plan for unexpected situations and means it is there if you need it.
- Flexible. There are two types of LPA, one that covers property and financial affairs, and one for health and welfare decisions. You can choose to make one, or both, and appoint the same attorneys for both or different ones for each. You can also include instructions for your attorneys and specify exactly what they can do on your behalf.
- You retain control. When you make an LPA, you get to choose who to appoint as your attorney(s) to look after your affairs. This enables you to select people you trust who you are confident will make decisions in your best interests. Without a valid LPA, the courts might have to appoint a ‘deputy’ to act on your behalf, who might not be who you would have chosen.
- Avoids problems at a later stage. If you lose capacity without an LPA, your loved ones will not automatically have control over your affairs and may not be able to access your finances, even if it is to pay for your care. Instead, your family may need to make an application to the Court of Protection, which can be stressful, time-consuming, and costly.
- Provides peace of mind. Knowing that you have taken the appropriate steps to protect yourself and your loved ones against any unforeseen events provides reassurance and peace of mind for you and your family.
LPA Solicitors Near Me
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a valuable legal document that is just as important as a Will.
It is never too early to make one, and every adult over the age of 18 should have one.
Putting it off until a later date can cause untold difficulties for you and your family.
Consulting a solicitor is the best way to ensure a Lasting Power of Attorney is properly set up and registered.
At Russell & Russell Solicitors, our specialist private client team can help complete the necessary documentation and register LPAs with the OPG.
For more information on how we can help you with your Lasting Power of Attorney, or any other Wills and Probate enquiries, click here, call us on 0800 103 2600 or make an online enquiry.
Please note that this article is meant as general guidance and not intended as legal or professional advice. Updates to the law may have changed since this article was published.