It is easy to think that a disease such as Alzheimer’s affects only the elderly but, every-so-often, we get a stark reminder that it can affect us all much sooner than we may otherwise expect.  Jadye Green’s story on the BBC is just such a story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-41124989/i-m-27-and-preparing-for-early-onset-alzheimer-s

Putting in place a Lasting Power of Attorney can help your family make decisions if you find yourself unable to do so yourself.  A Lasting Power of Attorney for property and financial affairs can allow someone that you choose to make decisions in relation to your financial affairs.  A Lasting Power of Attorney for health and welfare can allow someone that you choose to make decisions in relation to your health: this may include where you live, what medication you take, which operations you undergo and ultimately whether an artificial means of sustaining life is kept in place or withdrawn.

Luckily there are many excellent organisations locally which are working together to defy dementia and to support those with a diagnosis; these include Lancaster University www.lancaster.ac.uk/defyingdementia/ and the Bay Dementia Hub www.thebaydementiahub.org/.

Oglethorpe Sturton and Gillibrand’s Private Client lawyers have received specialist training in working with those who have had a diagnosis so as to provide the best possible legal services to those who have been affected and to their families. For more information please do not hesitate to contact our private client lawyers today at Lancaster 01524 846846 or at Kirkby Lonsdale 015242 71388.