It’s a ticking social timebomb – which is already causing heartache and suffering for families across the region.
It’s estimated that North Wales alone will see a 35 per cent increase in dementia cases amongst over 75s in the next 10 years with one in three people over 65 expected suffer a form of dementia.
Younger people can also suffer from dementia – while rare, it can affect people in their 40s and 50s.
Unless families act to take proper safeguards before it’s too late, their finances could descend into chaos.
The problem has prompted an appeal from a legal expert to people to secure their futures by taking out a legal safeguard against the onset of dementia.
Solicitors Cyril Jones and Co, based in Wrexham and Shotton, have appointed Sian Fisher to specialise in Power of Attorney cases.
According to Ms Fisher, arranging a Lasting Power of Attorney is as important as writing a will.
It allows people to appoint someone to act on their behalf to deal with their personal welfare or financial affairs.
Ms Fisher said: “It is absolutely imperative that a LPOA is in place before someone loses the capacity to make decisions about their care or their financial affairs for themselves.
“It is a difficult decision to make because you are anticipating someone’s condition worsening but if it’s not in place when that person loses the capacity to make their own decisions the implications are much more serious.
“It means going to the Court of Protection and lengthy and expensive legal processes to avoid being in a situation where the family can’t pay the mortgage or for appropriate care.”
“As more and more people live longer the importance of appointing a lasting power of attorney increases but really it should be as much a part of making proper provision as making a will.
“But it is not just for people who are getting older – I have done a Lasting Power of Attorney for younger people and like a will once it’s there it’s always in place.
“It means that should you become unable to make decisions about your finances or your welfare then there is someone who can take over and that is very reassuring for families and their loved ones.”
The call was supported by Mario Kreft, the proprietor of the Pendine Park care organisation and the Honorary Chief Executive of Care Forum Wales.
Pendine Park last year opened Bodlondeb, a brand new state of the art dementia care centre, in Wrexham.
Mr Kreft said: “We can see the consequences of not having Power of Attorney and it really is terrifying.
“As well as having to cope with the emotional difficulty of dealing with a loved one who has dementia, people can be left in terrible financial hardship even though there is money which would be available.
“It’s a matter of peace of mind both for the person who has dementia and for their family because they know that their loved one’s wishes are being carried out.”
For more information ring 01978 367830 or go to www.cyril-jones.co.uk
