Onset of dementia, medical and legal steps against it

Health organisations across the world are stressing the need for people to take preventive measures to protect themselves as they get older.

Official guidance from the NHS says: “There is currently no ‘cure’ for dementia. In fact, because dementia is caused by different diseases it is unlikely that there will be a single cure for dementia.”

American researchers looking into Alzheimer’s at the University of Southern California state: “The idea that there is going to be one drug that fixes all this seems more and more unlikely. It is a multifactorial disease.”

Research carried out by the NHS inform us that cardiovascular diseases increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. The risk can be mitigated if people take preventive measures including stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, healthier well balanced diet and 2.5 hours of exercise a week.

On top of the health issues for those suffering from such debilitating illnesses, practical matter need to be addressed such as the management of business and financial affairs.

Many sufferers rely on their families to make important decisions on their behalf, but this becomes more difficult without the necessary legal arrangements being in place. This can often lead to complicated court proceeding which grants the family member the authority to manage the affairs of the sufferers.

No one is able to predict your health, but it is possible to have the procedures in place so that those you trust are able to help should you fall ill.

By creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) you are able to nominate someone trustworthy to make your decisions should you no longer be able to such as an illness like dementia. This is the best way.

The property and finance LPA means you are able to appoint someone to look after your financial affairs. A personal welfare LPA relates to decisions over your health care and the types of treatment you receive.

They provide you with peace of mind of knowing that in the future, your interests will be protected by people you trust and who have been specifically chosen to represent you.

Please contact us if you would like more information about lasting powers of attorney.