A: Things to get in place as soon as possible
A1: Securing Lasting Power of Attorneys
A2: Registering with the Shropshire Carers Service
A3: Help tailor the care to an individual’s needs and preferences
A4: Join us at Bishop’s Castle’s ‘800 Club’
A1: Securing a Lasting Power of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows an individual to appoint one or more people to make decisions on their behalf once they lose their faculties and become unable to manage their own affairs. It is very important because it enables an individual to choose a person/people they trust to support and act on their behalf, when they are most in need.
If an LPA isn’t in place those concerned about the individual are likely to encounter resistance from services/banks etc who may not acknowledge their right to make decisions for the individual. It is possible later to gain control of assets and health decisions but this is likely to be a long and costly process.
Some people believe having an LPA in place is more important than having a Will - get advice early to get it right for you. Note that, on average, it takes about 5 months to put an LPA in place.
There are two types of LPA; one covering Health and one covering Finance. These can be appointed separately or jointly to one or more people.
It is important to choose wisely who is given power of attorney – it could be a wife, husband, partner or a professional. Religious beliefs need to be considered. Of course, the responsibilities and requirements need to be discussed with whoever is being chosen beforehand, to check they are happy to perform the role.
Charities such as Age-UK (tel: 0800 055 6112) and the Alzheimer’s Society (0333 150 3456) offer an LPA service, as do solicitors such as Solicitors for the Elderly or a local solicitors, such as PCB Solicitors (01694 723818) or Wace Morgan Solicitors (01588 638425).
Alternatively, following the Government website link allows you to complete the LPA application independently online (Office of Public Guardian tel: 0300 456 0300). Once you have registered an LPA with the Office of Public Guardian, it can then be registered with banks and building societies direct.
Providing a copy of the LPA to their Doctors’ Surgery would also ease the way during medical situations (see Section B for doctor related information).
A2. Registering with Shropshire Carers Service
Sign up to the Shropshire Carers Service so that if you, the Carer, become unwell help is available for those you are supporting. It also provides you with regular relevant Carer information and an identifying card so that in an emergency, others will know someone is relying on you.
A3. Help tailor the care to an individual’s needs and preferences
‘This is me’ form
The ‘This is me’ form can be used to pass on details about a person who can’t easily share information about themselves. For example, it can record what a person likes to be called, their cultural and family background, important events, people and places in their life, their preferences and routines.
The leaflet can be used in any setting – at home, in hospital, in respite care or in a care home. It helps health and social care professionals deliver care tailored to the person’s needs.
Fill it out and display it where it can be easily seen, or hand it to professional personnel who are caring for the individual.
Message in a bottle scheme
The Message in a Bottle scheme is another advance care planning idea and is run by the Lions Clubs British Isles for anyone aged 60 or older, who lives alone or has an illness or disability. It’s about keeping personal and medical details in a recognisable plastic bottle in the fridge where it can be easily found in the event of an emergency. You can also record the information contained in the bottle with the NHS, so they have it on their systems.
To receive a bottle, download a Message in a Bottle application form from the Admiral Nurses website or from the Doctor’s Surgery or the 800 Club.
A4: Join us at the 800 Club
The ‘800 Club’ creates an informal setting where you can get to know others, discuss matters and help each other out.
We get together on the first Monday of the month at 10.30am in the back room of the Six Bells Pub. Feel free to just drop in and please email bc800club@gmail.com if you have any questions. Or if you know anyone who might be interested please let them know about the ‘800 Club’.